Best Online Nursing Programs in Harlingen, TX (2026)
Harlingen, Texas has a population of about 71,669. The city’s median household income is $55,891 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Harlingen. In Texas, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $227,580 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Harlingen
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Harlingen city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies | Weslaco, TX | 18.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas Southmost College | Brownsville, TX | 23.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rio Grande Valley College | Pharr, TX | 29.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Texas Training Center | Pharr, TX | 31.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Harlingen
Harlingen is part of the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro area (BLS area code 15180). 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 | $75,810 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $88,151 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,050 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $62,849 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,580 | TX statewide | $264,628 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,190 | TX statewide | $129,291 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,850 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $138,198 |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,550 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $34,360 |
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.
Harlingen at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,669 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,891 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Cameron County | 11,966 workers, 77 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Harlingen-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- San Benito, TX – 5.4 mi away (24,476 pop)
- Weslaco, TX – 18.0 mi away (40,033 pop)
- Brownsville, TX – 20.1 mi away (228,534 pop)
- San Juan, TX – 28.2 mi away (36,663 pop)
- Edinburg, TX – 30.1 mi away (87,650 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Harlingen, TX?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Harlingen. The closest is Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies in Weslaco, TX (18.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Texas Training Center (31.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Harlingen?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Harlingen are: Nurse Anesthetist ($227,580), Nurse Practitioner ($118,850), 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 San Benito instead of Harlingen?
San Benito, TX is 5.4 miles from Harlingen 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 Harlingen an affordable place to study nursing?
Harlingen’s median household income of $55,891 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Harlingen 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.