Best Online Nursing Programs in Erie, PA (2026)
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,156. The city’s median household income is $43,397 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Erie. In the Erie, PA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $204,690 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Erie
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Erie city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology | Erie, PA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie, PA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Crawford County Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing Program | Meadville, PA | 33.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus | Jefferson, OH | 42.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Erie
Erie is part of the Erie, PA metro area (BLS area code 21500). 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 | $77,950 | Erie, PA | $85,659 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,180 | Erie, PA | $65,033 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $204,690 | Erie, PA | $224,934 |
| Nurse Midwife | $107,740 | PA statewide | $118,396 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,130 | Erie, PA | $134,209 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,850 | Erie, PA | $41,593 |
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.
Erie at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Erie County | 10,396 workers, 176 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Erie-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Meadville, PA – 32.6 mi away (23,131 pop)
- Ashtabula, OH – 40.7 mi away (28,097 pop)
- Jamestown, NY – 42.9 mi away (41,492 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 45.4 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Mentor, OH – 71.3 mi away (46,732 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Erie, PA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Erie. The closest is Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus (42.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Erie?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Erie are: Nurse Anesthetist ($204,690), Nurse Practitioner ($122,130), Nurse Midwife ($107,740). 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 Meadville instead of Erie?
Meadville, PA is 32.6 miles from Erie 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 Erie an affordable place to study nursing?
Erie’s median household income of $43,397 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Erie 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.
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