Best Online Nursing Programs in Bellingham, WA (2026)
Bellingham, Washington has a population of about 92,367. The city’s median household income is $65,821 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. In the Bellingham, WA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $149,560 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Bellingham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Bellingham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham, WA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Whatcom Community College | Bellingham, WA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon, WA | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Everett Community College | Everett, WA | 53.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Peninsula College | Port Angeles, WA | 62.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Bellingham
Bellingham is part of the Bellingham, WA metro area (BLS area code 13380). 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 | $101,580 | Bellingham, WA | $98,335 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,860 | Bellingham, WA | $74,405 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | WA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $145,000 | WA statewide | $140,368 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $149,560 | Bellingham, WA | $144,782 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,860 | Bellingham, WA | $46,331 |
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.
Bellingham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,821 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bellingham-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Mount Vernon, WA – 24.1 mi away (68,613 pop)
- Oak Harbor, WA – 32.5 mi away (34,689 pop)
- Marysville, WA – 48.6 mi away (163,547 pop)
- Lake Stevens, WA – 54.6 mi away (31,679 pop)
- Sequim, WA – 55.0 mi away (20,330 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Bellingham, WA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. The closest is Bellingham Technical College in Bellingham, WA (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Peninsula College (62.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Bellingham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Bellingham are: Nurse Practitioner ($149,560), Nurse Midwife ($145,000), Registered Nurse ($101,580). 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 Mount Vernon instead of Bellingham?
Mount Vernon, WA is 24.1 miles from Bellingham 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 Bellingham an affordable place to study nursing?
Bellingham’s median household income of $65,821 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bellingham 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.