Best Online Nursing Programs in Houston, TX (2026)
Houston, Texas has a population of about 2,300,419. The city’s median household income is $62,894 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Houston. In the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $235,490 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Houston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Houston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Vocational Nursing Institute Inc | Houston, TX | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Houston Community College | Houston, TX | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Thomas | Houston, TX | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | Houston, TX | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston | Houston, TX | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Houston
Houston is part of the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area (BLS area code 26420). 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 | $97,810 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $99,199 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,700 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $62,576 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $235,490 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $238,834 |
| Nurse Midwife | $109,520 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $111,075 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,140 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $135,030 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,940 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $37,465 |
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.
Houston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,894 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Harris County | 104,982 workers, 713 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Houston-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Pearland, TX – 16.4 mi away (113,570 pop)
- Pasadena, TX – 17.1 mi away (153,351 pop)
- Missouri City, TX – 17.7 mi away (74,561 pop)
- Deer Park, TX – 18.0 mi away (33,782 pop)
- Sugar Land, TX – 19.3 mi away (88,177 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Houston, TX?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Houston. The closest is The Vocational Nursing Institute Inc in Houston, TX (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pima Medical Institute-Houston (10.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Houston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Houston are: Nurse Anesthetist ($235,490), Nurse Practitioner ($133,140), Nurse Midwife ($109,520). 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 Pearland instead of Houston?
Pearland, TX is 16.4 miles from Houston 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 Houston an affordable place to study nursing?
Houston’s median household income of $62,894 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Houston 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.