Best Online Nursing Programs in Salem, OR (2026)
Salem, Oregon has a population of about 176,666. The city’s median household income is $71,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Salem. In the Salem, OR metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $151,830 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Technology | Salem, OR | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chemeketa Community College | Salem, OR | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oregon Health & Science University | Portland, OR | 43.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concorde Career College-Portland | Portland, OR | 45.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sumner College | Portland, OR | 50.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Salem
Salem is part of the Salem, OR metro area (BLS area code 41420). 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 | $128,150 | Salem, OR | $123,697 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,030 | Salem, OR | $73,388 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | OR statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $151,830 | Salem, OR | $146,554 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $149,630 | Salem, OR | $144,431 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,280 | Salem, OR | $46,602 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Marion County | 11,309 workers, 281 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Keizer, OR – 5.5 mi away (38,980 pop)
- Woodburn, OR – 17.5 mi away (35,007 pop)
- Albany, OR – 20.7 mi away (60,463 pop)
- McMinnville, OR – 21.5 mi away (41,998 pop)
- Newberg, OR – 26.7 mi away (28,516 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Salem, OR?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Salem. The closest is Institute of Technology in Salem, OR (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sumner College (50.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Salem are: Nurse Midwife ($151,830), Nurse Practitioner ($149,630), Registered Nurse ($128,150). 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 Keizer instead of Salem?
Keizer, OR is 5.5 miles from 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 Salem an affordable place to study nursing?
Salem’s median household income of $71,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem 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.