Best Online Nursing Programs in Reading, PA (2026)
Reading, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,836. The city’s median household income is $45,599 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 150 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Reading. In the Reading, PA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $211,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Reading
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 150 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Reading. Distances are calculated from Reading city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Area Community College | Reading, PA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences | Reading, PA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alvernia University | Reading, PA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | Schuylkill Haven, PA | 24.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lebanon County Area Vocational Technical School | Lebanon, PA | 24.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Allentown | Allentown, PA | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster, PA | 25.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chester County Intermediate Unit | Downingtown, PA | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown, PA | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Joseph F McCloskey School of Nursing | Pottsville, PA | 27.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Reading
Reading is part of the Reading, PA metro area (BLS area code 39740). 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 | $96,330 | Reading, PA | $99,207 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,030 | Reading, PA | $65,942 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,150 | Reading, PA | $217,456 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,640 | Reading, PA | $114,974 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,030 | Reading, PA | $139,063 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,930 | Reading, PA | $45,242 |
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.
Reading at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,836 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,599 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Berks County | 13,081 workers, 159 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Reading-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Pottstown, PA – 16.1 mi away (109,052 pop)
- Lebanon, PA – 26.1 mi away (77,839 pop)
- Pottsville, PA – 27.8 mi away (41,479 pop)
- Lancaster, PA – 28.5 mi away (401,205 pop)
- Allentown, PA – 29.6 mi away (678,169 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Reading, PA?
Our directory has 150 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Reading. The closest is Reading Area Community College in Reading, PA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Joseph F McCloskey School of Nursing (27.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Reading?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Reading are: Nurse Anesthetist ($211,150), Nurse Practitioner ($135,030), Nurse Midwife ($111,640). 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 Pottstown instead of Reading?
Pottstown, PA is 16.1 miles from Reading 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 Reading an affordable place to study nursing?
Reading’s median household income of $45,599 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Reading 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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