Best Online Nursing Programs in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a population of about 250,887. The city’s median household income is $57,673 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Winston-Salem, with tuition ranging from $2,545 to $14,199 per year. In the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $236,370 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Winston-Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Winston-Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem, NC | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | Thomasville, NC | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown, NC | 20.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | 31.9 mi | $2,545 - $14,199 | – |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | Salisbury, NC | 34.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is part of the Winston-Salem, NC metro area (BLS area code 49180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,270 | Winston-Salem, NC | $91,598 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,520 | Winston-Salem, NC | $66,870 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $236,370 | Winston-Salem, NC | $256,924 |
| Nurse Midwife | $121,490 | NC statewide | $132,054 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,790 | Winston-Salem, NC | $144,337 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,900 | Winston-Salem, NC | $41,196 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,673 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Forsyth County | 27,903 workers, 93 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Winston-Salem-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Clemmons, NC – 8.5 mi away (20,079 pop)
- Kernersville, NC – 9.8 mi away (24,066 pop)
- High Point, NC – 16.9 mi away (177,412 pop)
- Thomasville, NC – 18.3 mi away (27,030 pop)
- Greensboro, NC – 24.2 mi away (331,894 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Winston-Salem, NC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Winston-Salem. The closest is Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (34.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Winston-Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Winston-Salem are: Nurse Anesthetist ($236,370), Nurse Practitioner ($132,790), Nurse Midwife ($121,490). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Clemmons instead of Winston-Salem?
Clemmons, NC is 8.5 miles from Winston-Salem and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Winston-Salem an affordable place to study nursing?
Winston-Salem’s median household income of $57,673 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Winston-Salem while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
Back to Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina (2026)
Return to Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina (2026)