Best Online Nursing Programs in Columbia, TN (2026)
Columbia, Tennessee has a population of about 43,971. The city’s median household income is $61,204 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Columbia. In the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $203,400 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski | Pulaski, TN | 29.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald | Hohenwald, TN | 30.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson | Dickson, TN | 31.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville | Shelbyville, TN | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro, TN | 38.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Columbia
Columbia is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area (BLS area code 34980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,170 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $84,289 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,290 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $62,606 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $203,400 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $211,215 |
| Nurse Midwife | $129,380 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $134,351 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,160 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $120,623 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,780 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $40,270 |
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 | 43,971 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,204 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Maury County | 1,054 workers, 31 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Spring Hill, TN – 11.3 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Franklin, TN – 23.4 mi away (74,794 pop)
- Brentwood, TN – 29.7 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 34.6 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Smyrna, TN – 38.1 mi away (48,596 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Columbia, TN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski in Pulaski, TN (29.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro (38.8 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 ($203,400), Nurse Midwife ($129,380), Nurse Practitioner ($116,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Spring Hill instead of Columbia?
Spring Hill, TN is 11.3 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 $61,204 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee 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.