Best Online Nursing Programs in Auburn, WA (2026)
Auburn, Washington has a population of about 85,455. The city’s median household income is $95,367 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Auburn. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $237,310 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Auburn
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Auburn city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 13.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 15.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Auburn
Auburn is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $118,570 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $106,724 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $80,480 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $72,439 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,310 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $213,600 |
| Nurse Midwife | $145,370 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $130,846 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,940 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,659 |
| Nursing Assistant | $50,690 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $45,626 |
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.
Auburn at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,455 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in King County | 50,813 workers, 1,001 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Auburn-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Kent, WA – 5.9 mi away (127,514 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 5.9 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Covington, WA – 6.6 mi away (20,478 pop)
- Des Moines, WA – 7.8 mi away (31,172 pop)
- Bonney Lake, WA – 8.8 mi away (20,310 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Auburn, WA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Auburn. The closest is Green River College in Auburn, WA (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tacoma Community College (15.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Auburn?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Auburn are: Nurse Anesthetist ($237,310), Nurse Midwife ($145,370), Nurse Practitioner ($142,940). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Kent instead of Auburn?
Kent, WA is 5.9 miles from Auburn 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 Auburn an affordable place to study nursing?
Auburn’s median household income of $95,367 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Auburn while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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.