Best Online Nursing Programs in Lancaster, OH (2026)
Lancaster, Ohio has a population of about 40,902. The city’s median household income is $54,901 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 81 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lancaster. In the Columbus, OH metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $224,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lancaster
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 81 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Lancaster. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio University-Lancaster Campus | Lancaster, OH | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | Groveport, OH | 18.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Capital University | Columbus, OH | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH | 25.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Franklin University | Columbus, OH | 26.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbus State Community College | Columbus, OH | 26.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Columbus, OH | 27.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County | Newark, OH | 27.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chamberlain University-Ohio | Columbus, OH | 28.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Adult and Community Education-Hudson | Columbus, OH | 28.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lancaster
Lancaster is part of the Columbus, OH metro area (BLS area code 18140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Ohio statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,520 | Columbus, OH | $86,408 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,460 | Columbus, OH | $65,403 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,150 | Columbus, OH | $234,712 |
| Nurse Midwife | $136,360 | Columbus, OH | $142,785 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,020 | Columbus, OH | $133,005 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,830 | Columbus, OH | $41,707 |
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.
Lancaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,902 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,901 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Fairfield County | 1,598 workers, 56 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Pickerington, OH – 14.3 mi away (20,069 pop)
- Reynoldsburg, OH – 19.0 mi away (37,449 pop)
- Gahanna, OH – 24.9 mi away (34,956 pop)
- Newark, OH – 25.7 mi away (78,563 pop)
- Grove City, OH – 26.6 mi away (39,721 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Lancaster, OH?
Our directory has 81 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lancaster. The closest is Ohio University-Lancaster Campus in Lancaster, OH (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Adult and Community Education-Hudson (28.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lancaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lancaster are: Nurse Anesthetist ($224,150), Nurse Midwife ($136,360), Nurse Practitioner ($127,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Ohio statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Pickerington instead of Lancaster?
Pickerington, OH is 14.3 miles from Lancaster 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 Lancaster an affordable place to study nursing?
Lancaster’s median household income of $54,901 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Ohio 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.