Best Online Nursing Programs in Harker Heights, TX (2026)
Harker Heights, Texas has a population of about 33,595. The city’s median household income is $82,685 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Harker Heights, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $31,562 per year. In Texas, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $227,580 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Harker Heights
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Harker Heights city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 17.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Galen Health Institutes-Austin Campus | Round Rock, TX | 40.1 mi | $16,400 - $31,562 | – |
| McLennan Community College | Waco, TX | 46.2 mi | $3,660 - $13,382 | – |
| Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | 50.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Harker Heights
Harker Heights is part of the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area (BLS area code 28660). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,210 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $104,512 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,940 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $66,894 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,580 | TX statewide | $249,813 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,190 | TX statewide | $122,053 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,390 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $146,422 |
| Nursing Assistant | $33,990 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $37,311 |
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.
Harker Heights at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,595 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $82,685 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Bell County | 9,989 workers, 52 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Harker Heights-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Killeen, TX – 5.1 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Belton, TX – 9.8 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Temple, TX – 15.4 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 16.5 mi away (32,808 pop)
- Georgetown, TX – 27.2 mi away (67,140 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Harker Heights, TX?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Harker Heights. The closest is Central Texas College in Killeen, TX (10.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Austin Community College District (50.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Harker Heights?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Harker Heights are: Nurse Anesthetist ($227,580), Nurse Practitioner ($133,390), Nurse Midwife ($111,190). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Killeen instead of Harker Heights?
Killeen, TX is 5.1 miles from Harker Heights 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 Harker Heights an affordable place to study nursing?
Harker Heights’s median household income of $82,685 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Harker Heights while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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.