Best Online Nursing Programs in Fairfax, VA (2026)
Fairfax, Virginia has a population of about 24,478. The city’s median household income is $132,774 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 62.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 82 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Fairfax, with tuition ranging from $13,920 to $84,696 per year for indexed programs. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $225,340 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Fairfax
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 82 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Fairfax. Distances are calculated from Fairfax city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church | Falls Church, VA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | Vienna, VA | 5.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | Falls Church, VA | 6.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marymount University | Arlington, VA | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Virginia | Arlington, VA | 11.8 mi | $13,920 | – |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 12.8 mi | $65,081 - $84,696 | – |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 13.9 mi | $64,990 - $80,727 | – |
| Strayer University-Global Region | Washington, DC | 14.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Fairfax
Fairfax is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,800 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $93,480 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $71,900 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,024 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $225,340 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $206,924 |
| Nurse Midwife | $139,770 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,347 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,920 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $119,302 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,330 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $39,789 |
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.
Fairfax at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,478 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $132,774 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 62.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Fairfax (city) County | 707 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fairfax-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Herndon, VA – 9.3 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Alexandria, VA – 11.7 mi away (155,810 pop)
- Manassas, VA – 12.3 mi away (41,483 pop)
- Washington, DC – 15.7 mi away (5,191,844 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 17.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Fairfax, VA?
Our directory has 82 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Fairfax. The closest is George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Strayer University-Global Region (14.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Fairfax?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Fairfax are: Nurse Anesthetist ($225,340), Nurse Midwife ($139,770), Nurse Practitioner ($129,920). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Herndon instead of Fairfax?
Herndon, VA is 9.3 miles from Fairfax 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 Fairfax an affordable place to study nursing?
Fairfax’s median household income of $132,774 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fairfax while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.