Best Online Nursing Programs in Port Arthur, TX (2026)
Port Arthur, Texas has a population of about 55,779. The city’s median household income is $45,752 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Port Arthur, with tuition ranging from $1,770 to $16,402 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 Port Arthur
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Port Arthur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar State College-Port Arthur | Port Arthur, TX | 1.6 mi | $1,770 - $11,281 | – |
| Lamar State College-Orange | Orange, TX | 16.4 mi | $2,832 - $13,824 | – |
| McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | 47.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SOWELA Technical Community College | Lake Charles, LA | 52.1 mi | $4,265 - $16,402 | – |
| Lee College | Baytown, TX | 63.5 mi | $2,166 - $12,050 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Port Arthur
Port Arthur is part of the Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area (BLS area code 13140). 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 | $81,190 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $90,211 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,040 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $63,378 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,580 | TX statewide | $252,867 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,190 | TX statewide | $123,544 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $146,922 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,500 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $36,111 |
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.
Port Arthur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,779 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,752 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Jefferson County | 6,372 workers, 58 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Port Arthur-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Beaumont, TX – 20.6 mi away (147,935 pop)
- Sulphur, LA – 42.9 mi away (20,272 pop)
- Lake Charles, LA – 48.9 mi away (153,097 pop)
- Baytown, TX – 62.5 mi away (75,992 pop)
- La Porte, TX – 68.5 mi away (35,086 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Port Arthur, TX?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Port Arthur. The closest is Lamar State College-Port Arthur in Port Arthur, TX (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lee College (63.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Port Arthur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Port Arthur are: Nurse Anesthetist ($227,580), Nurse Practitioner ($132,230), 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 Beaumont instead of Port Arthur?
Beaumont, TX is 20.6 miles from Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur an affordable place to study nursing?
Port Arthur’s median household income of $45,752 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Port Arthur 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.