Best Online Nursing Programs in Columbia, SC (2026)
Columbia, South Carolina has a population of about 138,019. The city’s median household income is $55,653 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Columbia, with tuition ranging from $5,715 to $13,295 per year. In the Columbia, SC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $219,170 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia, SC | 13.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 31.4 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 34.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Denmark Technical College | Denmark, SC | 51.2 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 Columbia
Columbia is part of the Columbia, SC metro area (BLS area code 17900). 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 | $80,100 | Columbia, SC | $85,486 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,980 | Columbia, SC | $64,013 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $219,170 | Columbia, SC | $233,906 |
| Nurse Midwife | $118,100 | SC statewide | $126,041 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $112,050 | Columbia, SC | $119,584 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,410 | Columbia, SC | $38,858 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,653 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lexington, SC – 18.4 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Sumter, SC – 30.1 mi away (73,468 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 37.6 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 48.1 mi away (25,691 pop)
- Aiken, SC – 58.8 mi away (30,937 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Columbia, SC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is University of South Carolina-Columbia in Columbia, SC (7.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Denmark Technical College (51.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Columbia are: Nurse Anesthetist ($219,170), Nurse Midwife ($118,100), Nurse Practitioner ($112,050). 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 Lexington instead of Columbia?
Lexington, SC is 18.4 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study nursing?
Columbia’s median household income of $55,653 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia 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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