Best Online Nursing Programs in Wilkes-Barre, PA (2026)
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has a population of about 44,217. The city’s median household income is $47,970 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Wilkes-Barre city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing | Wilkes Barre, PA | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lackawanna College | Scranton, PA | 16.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fortis Institute-Scranton | Scranton, PA | 16.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton | Dunmore, PA | 17.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County | Scranton, PA | 18.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,217 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,970 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Luzerne County | 9,379 workers, 101 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wilkes-Barre-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Scranton, PA – 15.4 mi away (387,448 pop)
- Hazleton, PA – 21.1 mi away (55,301 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 28.3 mi away (23,308 pop)
- Bloomsburg, PA – 34.6 mi away (52,637 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 40.1 mi away (56,230 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Wilkes-Barre. The closest is Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing in Wilkes Barre, PA (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (18.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Wilkes-Barre?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Wilkes-Barre 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 Scranton instead of Wilkes-Barre?
Scranton, PA is 15.4 miles from Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre an affordable place to study nursing?
Wilkes-Barre’s median household income of $47,970 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wilkes-Barre 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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