Best Online Nursing Programs in Mercer Island, WA (2026)
Mercer Island, Washington has a population of about 25,282. The city’s median household income is $202,359 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 78.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Mercer Island. 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 Mercer Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Mercer Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle University | Seattle, WA | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Kirkland, WA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Mercer Island
Mercer Island 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.
Mercer Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,282 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $202,359 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 78.8% | 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 Mercer Island-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Bellevue, WA – 4.0 mi away (141,400 pop)
- Seattle, WA – 6.1 mi away (3,541,236 pop)
- Renton, WA – 6.2 mi away (100,953 pop)
- Tukwila, WA – 6.4 mi away (20,033 pop)
- Burien, WA – 8.0 mi away (50,997 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Mercer Island, WA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Mercer Island. The closest is Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA (3.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lake Washington Institute of Technology (10.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Mercer Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Mercer Island 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 Bellevue instead of Mercer Island?
Bellevue, WA is 4.0 miles from Mercer Island 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 Mercer Island an affordable place to study nursing?
Mercer Island’s median household income of $202,359 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Mercer Island 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.