Best Online Nursing Programs in Federal Way, WA (2026)
Federal Way, Washington has a population of about 99,232. The city’s median household income is $82,144 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Federal Way. 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 Federal Way
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Federal Way city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Federal Way
Federal Way 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.
Federal Way at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,232 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $82,144 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | 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 Federal Way-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Des Moines, WA – 5.8 mi away (31,172 pop)
- Auburn, WA – 5.9 mi away (77,472 pop)
- Tacoma, WA – 7.1 mi away (211,277 pop)
- Kent, WA – 8.0 mi away (127,514 pop)
- Puyallup, WA – 9.2 mi away (40,640 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Federal Way, WA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Federal Way. The closest is Highline College in Des Moines, WA (5.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clover Park Technical College (11.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Federal Way?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Federal Way 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 Des Moines instead of Federal Way?
Des Moines, WA is 5.8 miles from Federal Way 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 Federal Way an affordable place to study nursing?
Federal Way’s median household income of $82,144 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Federal Way 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.