Best Online Nursing Programs in Olympia, WA (2026)
Olympia, Washington has a population of about 55,583. The city’s median household income is $76,930 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Olympia. In Washington, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $145,000 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Olympia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Olympia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 20.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | 22.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 22.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Centralia College | Centralia, WA | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Olympia
Olympia is part of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area (BLS area code 36500). 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 | $103,850 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $100,145 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,220 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $76,393 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | WA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $145,000 | WA statewide | $139,826 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,870 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $131,022 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,900 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $45,227 |
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.
Olympia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,930 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Thurston County | 5,926 workers, 132 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Olympia-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Tumwater, WA – 3.6 mi away (22,538 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 4.8 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 19.1 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 20.3 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Centralia, WA – 22.3 mi away (41,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Olympia, WA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Olympia. The closest is Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, WA (20.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bates Technical College (25.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Olympia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Olympia are: Nurse Midwife ($145,000), Nurse Practitioner ($135,870), Registered Nurse ($103,850). 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 Tumwater instead of Olympia?
Tumwater, WA is 3.6 miles from Olympia 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 Olympia an affordable place to study nursing?
Olympia’s median household income of $76,930 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Olympia 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.