Best Online Nursing Programs in Charleston, SC (2026)
Charleston, South Carolina has a population of about 152,014. The city’s median household income is $90,038 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $4,488 to $14,074 per year. In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $230,860 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical University of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | 8.9 mi | $4,564 - $11,453 | – |
| Technical College of the Lowcountry | Beaufort, SC | 50.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | 59.1 mi | $4,488 - $14,074 | – |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 71.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Charleston
Charleston is part of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area (BLS area code 16700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,620 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,822 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,010 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $60,406 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $230,860 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $228,574 |
| Nurse Midwife | $118,100 | SC statewide | $116,931 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,100 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $121,881 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,720 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $38,337 |
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.
Charleston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,038 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Charleston County | 11,638 workers, 166 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Hanahan, SC – 8.4 mi away (23,439 pop)
- Mount Pleasant, SC – 8.4 mi away (84,170 pop)
- North Charleston, SC – 9.0 mi away (109,298 pop)
- Goose Creek, SC – 12.6 mi away (42,039 pop)
- Summerville, SC – 18.1 mi away (49,323 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Charleston, SC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Charleston. The closest is Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College (71.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Charleston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Charleston are: Nurse Anesthetist ($230,860), Nurse Practitioner ($123,100), Nurse Midwife ($118,100). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hanahan instead of Charleston?
Hanahan, SC is 8.4 miles from Charleston 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 Charleston an affordable place to study nursing?
Charleston’s median household income of $90,038 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charleston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Carolina 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.
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