Best Online Nursing Programs in Odessa, TX (2026)
Odessa, Texas has a population of about 114,080. The city’s median household income is $73,030 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Odessa, with tuition ranging from $1,440 to $12,519 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 Odessa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Odessa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa College | Odessa, TX | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midland College | Midland, TX | 17.1 mi | $3,030 - $12,519 | – |
| Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 58.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs, NM | 77.9 mi | $1,440 - $9,150 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Odessa
Odessa is part of the Odessa, TX metro area (BLS area code 36220). 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 | $78,270 | Odessa, TX | $83,355 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,630 | Odessa, TX | $63,504 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,580 | TX statewide | $242,364 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,190 | TX statewide | $118,413 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,790 | Odessa, TX | $131,832 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,920 | Odessa, TX | $37,188 |
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.
Odessa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Ector County | 1,335 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Odessa-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Midland, TX – 16.8 mi away (142,680 pop)
- Big Spring, TX – 56.1 mi away (29,267 pop)
- Hobbs, NM – 75.5 mi away (41,021 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Odessa, TX?
Our directory lists 4 nursing programs within 100 miles of Odessa. The closest is Odessa College in Odessa, TX (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is New Mexico Junior College (77.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Odessa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Odessa are: Nurse Anesthetist ($227,580), Nurse Practitioner ($123,790), 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 Midland instead of Odessa?
Midland, TX is 16.8 miles from Odessa 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 Odessa an affordable place to study nursing?
Odessa’s median household income of $73,030 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Odessa 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.