Best Online Nursing Programs in Portland, OR (2026)
Portland, Oregon has a population of about 642,715. The city’s median household income is $88,792 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Portland. In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $151,890 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Portland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Portland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concorde Career College-Portland | Portland, OR | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oregon Health & Science University | Portland, OR | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sumner College | Portland, OR | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham, OR | 12.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chemeketa Community College | Salem, OR | 42.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Portland
Portland is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area (BLS area code 38900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Oregon statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $127,980 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $121,423 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,870 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $74,829 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | OR statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $123,080 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $116,774 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $151,890 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $144,108 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,520 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,034 |
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.
Portland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,792 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Multnomah County | 26,760 workers, 752 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portland-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Milwaukie, OR – 6.5 mi away (20,929 pop)
- Vancouver, WA – 7.2 mi away (174,826 pop)
- Lake Oswego, OR – 8.9 mi away (38,945 pop)
- Beaverton, OR – 9.1 mi away (97,590 pop)
- Tigard, OR – 10.1 mi away (51,902 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Portland, OR?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Portland. The closest is Concorde Career College-Portland in Portland, OR (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Chemeketa Community College (42.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Portland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Portland are: Nurse Practitioner ($151,890), Registered Nurse ($127,980), Nurse Midwife ($123,080). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Oregon statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Milwaukie instead of Portland?
Milwaukie, OR is 6.5 miles from Portland 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 Portland an affordable place to study nursing?
Portland’s median household income of $88,792 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Oregon 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.