Best Online Nursing Programs in San Marcos, TX (2026)
San Marcos, Texas has a population of about 68,920. The city’s median household income is $51,030 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of San Marcos, with tuition ranging from $16,400 to $45,850 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 San Marcos
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from San Marcos city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CyberTex Institute of Technology | Austin, TX | 29.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | 33.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, TX | 43.0 mi | $35,660 - $45,850 | – |
| Galen Health Institutes-Austin Campus | Round Rock, TX | 44.1 mi | $16,400 - $31,562 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near San Marcos
San Marcos is part of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area (BLS area code 12420). 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 | $94,900 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $96,738 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,100 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $64,322 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $227,580 | TX statewide | $231,988 |
| Nurse Midwife | $111,190 | TX statewide | $113,344 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,530 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $135,097 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,460 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,186 |
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.
San Marcos at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,920 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Hays County | 3,329 workers, 73 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Marcos-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Kyle, TX – 9.5 mi away (39,060 pop)
- Seguin, TX – 20.0 mi away (27,415 pop)
- Cibolo, TX – 27.2 mi away (27,855 pop)
- Schertz, TX – 29.0 mi away (39,453 pop)
- Austin, TX – 31.3 mi away (1,633,847 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near San Marcos, TX?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of San Marcos. The closest is Texas State University in San Marcos, TX (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Galen Health Institutes-Austin Campus (44.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near San Marcos?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near San Marcos are: Nurse Anesthetist ($227,580), Nurse Practitioner ($132,530), 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 Kyle instead of San Marcos?
Kyle, TX is 9.5 miles from San Marcos 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 San Marcos an affordable place to study nursing?
San Marcos’s median household income of $51,030 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Marcos 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.