Best Online Nursing Programs in Cranston, RI (2026)
Cranston, Rhode Island has a population of about 82,632. The city’s median household income is $87,716 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Cranston. In Rhode Island, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $131,390 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Cranston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Cranston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | Lincoln, RI | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Diman Regional Technical Institute | Fall River, MA | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School | Franklin, MA | 23.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Rhode Island schools on the Rhode Island nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Cranston
Cranston is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Rhode Island statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,220 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $95,501 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,420 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $74,086 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $131,390 | RI statewide | $129,067 |
| Nurse Midwife | $127,880 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $125,619 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,640 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $128,330 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,430 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $42,662 |
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.
Cranston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,632 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,716 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Providence County | 27,690 workers, 255 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cranston-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Warwick, RI – 4.9 mi away (81,579 pop)
- Providence, RI – 5.2 mi away (1,198,789 pop)
- East Providence, RI – 7.2 mi away (47,337 pop)
- Pawtucket, RI – 9.4 mi away (71,427 pop)
- Attleboro, MA – 15.1 mi away (44,434 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Cranston, RI?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Cranston. The closest is Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, RI (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School (23.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Cranston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Cranston are: Nurse Anesthetist ($131,390), Nurse Practitioner ($130,640), Nurse Midwife ($127,880). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Rhode Island statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Warwick instead of Cranston?
Warwick, RI is 4.9 miles from Cranston 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 Cranston an affordable place to study nursing?
Cranston’s median household income of $87,716 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cranston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Rhode Island 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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