Best Online Nursing Programs in Scranton, PA (2026)
Scranton, Pennsylvania has a population of about 76,074. The city’s median household income is $49,531 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Scranton. In the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $210,350 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Scranton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Scranton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna College | Scranton, PA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fortis Institute-Scranton | Scranton, PA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton | Dunmore, PA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County | Scranton, PA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing | Wilkes Barre, PA | 15.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Scranton
Scranton is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area (BLS area code 42540). 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 | $81,450 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $87,019 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,310 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $65,502 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $210,350 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $224,733 |
| Nurse Midwife | $107,740 | PA statewide | $115,107 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,120 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $136,880 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,830 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $41,485 |
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.
Scranton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,074 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,531 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Lackawanna County | 7,655 workers, 143 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Scranton-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Wilkes-Barre, PA – 15.4 mi away (40,569 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 25.2 mi away (23,308 pop)
- Hazleton, PA – 35.2 mi away (55,301 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 37.6 mi away (56,230 pop)
- Bloomsburg, PA – 49.6 mi away (52,637 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Scranton, PA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Scranton. The closest is Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing (15.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Scranton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Scranton are: Nurse Anesthetist ($210,350), Nurse Practitioner ($128,120), 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 Wilkes-Barre instead of Scranton?
Wilkes-Barre, PA is 15.4 miles from Scranton 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 Scranton an affordable place to study nursing?
Scranton’s median household income of $49,531 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Scranton 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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