Best Online Nursing Programs in Chester, PA (2026)
Chester, Pennsylvania has a population of about 33,209. The city’s median household income is $39,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Chester. In Pennsylvania, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $217,670 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Chester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Chester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-State Career School | Essington, PA | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania Institute of Technology | Media, PA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delaware County Community College | Media, PA | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delaware County Technical School-Practical Nursing Program | Broomall, PA | 9.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salem Community College | Carneys Point, NJ | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Chester
Chester is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area (BLS area code 37980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,210 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $96,696 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $67,150 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $65,448 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $217,670 | PA statewide | $212,154 |
| Nurse Midwife | $74,670 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,778 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,590 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $128,255 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,000 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $41,910 |
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.
Chester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,209 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $39,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Delaware County | 17,622 workers, 216 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chester-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Wilmington, DE – 11.3 mi away (71,442 pop)
- Camden, NJ – 15.4 mi away (74,420 pop)
- Philadelphia, PA – 16.9 mi away (5,591,554 pop)
- Norristown, PA – 19.2 mi away (34,370 pop)
- Newark, DE – 23.5 mi away (33,398 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Chester, PA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Chester. The closest is All-State Career School in Essington, PA (4.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Salem Community College (11.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Chester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Chester are: Nurse Anesthetist ($217,670), Nurse Practitioner ($131,590), Registered Nurse ($99,210). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Wilmington instead of Chester?
Wilmington, DE is 11.3 miles from Chester 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 Chester an affordable place to study nursing?
Chester’s median household income of $39,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chester while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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
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