Best Online Nursing Programs in Lancaster, SC (2026)
Lancaster, South Carolina has a population of about 8,738. The city’s median household income is $43,234 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lancaster, with tuition ranging from $2,792 to $15,399 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $238,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lancaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 18.9 mi | $5,512 - $15,399 | – |
| Southeastern College-Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 30.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 34.2 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
| South Piedmont Community College | Polkton, NC | 37.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 46.6 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 Lancaster
Lancaster is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $84,780 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $87,133 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,450 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,211 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $238,780 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $245,406 |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,420 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $139,178 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,650 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $134,275 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,580 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $39,651 |
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.
Lancaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,738 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,234 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Lancaster County | 726 workers, 17 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Rock Hill, SC – 20.5 mi away (115,755 pop)
- Monroe, NC – 23.1 mi away (34,818 pop)
- Indian Trail, NC – 25.0 mi away (38,222 pop)
- Matthews, NC – 27.6 mi away (31,495 pop)
- Mint Hill, NC – 32.1 mi away (26,236 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lancaster, SC?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lancaster. The closest is York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC (18.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gaston College (46.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lancaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lancaster are: Nurse Anesthetist ($238,780), Nurse Midwife ($135,420), Nurse Practitioner ($130,650). 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 Rock Hill instead of Lancaster?
Rock Hill, SC is 20.5 miles from Lancaster 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 Lancaster an affordable place to study nursing?
Lancaster’s median household income of $43,234 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster 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.
Related Resources
Back to Best Online Nursing Programs in South Carolina (2026)
Return to Best Online Nursing Programs in South Carolina (2026)