Best Online Nursing Programs in Lancaster, PA (2026)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has a population of about 57,683. The city’s median household income is $63,421 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 139 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lancaster, with tuition ranging from $12,512 to $27,358 per year for indexed programs. In Pennsylvania, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $217,670 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lancaster
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 139 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Lancaster. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster, PA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville, PA | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | Willow Street, PA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown, PA | 17.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lebanon County Area Vocational Technical School | Lebanon, PA | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education | York, PA | 21.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York, PA | 23.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln University | Lincoln University, PA | 25.6 mi | $12,512 - $27,358 | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown, PA | 25.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alvernia University | Reading, PA | 26.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lancaster
Lancaster is part of the Lancaster, PA metro area (BLS area code 29540). 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 | $83,180 | Lancaster, PA | $84,619 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,140 | Lancaster, PA | $62,197 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $217,670 | PA statewide | $221,434 |
| Nurse Midwife | $107,740 | PA statewide | $109,603 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,240 | Lancaster, PA | $132,492 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,090 | Lancaster, PA | $40,783 |
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 | 57,683 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,421 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Lancaster County | 22,120 workers, 170 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lebanon, PA – 21.6 mi away (77,839 pop)
- York, PA – 23.4 mi away (232,796 pop)
- Reading, PA – 28.5 mi away (264,736 pop)
- Harrisburg, PA – 34.7 mi away (438,995 pop)
- Pottstown, PA – 37.6 mi away (109,052 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Lancaster, PA?
Our directory has 139 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Lancaster. The closest is Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster, PA (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Alvernia University (26.7 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 ($217,670), Nurse Practitioner ($130,240), 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 Lebanon instead of Lancaster?
Lebanon, PA is 21.6 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 $63,421 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster 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
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.
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