Best Online Nursing Programs in Lubbock, TX (2026)
Lubbock, Texas has a population of about 261,078. The city’s median household income is $60,487 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lubbock, with tuition ranging from $1,440 to $9,150 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 Lubbock
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lubbock city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock, TX | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Plains College | Levelland, TX | 27.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs, NM | 93.3 mi | $1,440 - $9,150 | – |
| Clovis Community College | Clovis, NM | 93.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 94.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lubbock
Lubbock is part of the Lubbock, TX metro area (BLS area code 31180). 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 | $78,700 | Lubbock, TX | $86,199 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $56,850 | Lubbock, TX | $62,267 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,580 | TX statewide | $249,266 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,190 | TX statewide | $121,785 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,990 | Lubbock, TX | $131,424 |
| Nursing Assistant | $31,990 | Lubbock, TX | $35,038 |
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.
Lubbock at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,487 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Lubbock County | 8,435 workers, 110 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lubbock-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Plainview, TX – 44.1 mi away (24,257 pop)
- Hobbs, NM – 93.7 mi away (41,021 pop)
- Big Spring, TX – 94.7 mi away (29,267 pop)
- Clovis, NM – 96.0 mi away (43,327 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lubbock, TX?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lubbock. The closest is Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Howard College (94.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lubbock?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lubbock are: Nurse Anesthetist ($227,580), Nurse Practitioner ($119,990), 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 Plainview instead of Lubbock?
Plainview, TX is 44.1 miles from Lubbock 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 Lubbock an affordable place to study nursing?
Lubbock’s median household income of $60,487 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lubbock 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.