Best Online Nursing Programs in Tacoma, WA (2026)
Tacoma, Washington has a population of about 220,482. The city’s median household income is $83,857 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Tacoma. 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 Tacoma
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Tacoma city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Tacoma
Tacoma 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.
Tacoma at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,857 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Pierce County | 20,775 workers, 381 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Tacoma-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- University Place, WA – 4.8 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 6.6 mi away (60,665 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 7.1 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Puyallup, WA – 8.8 mi away (40,640 pop)
- Des Moines, WA – 12.1 mi away (31,172 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Tacoma, WA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Tacoma. The closest is Bates Technical College in Tacoma, WA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Highline College (12.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Tacoma?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Tacoma 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 University Place instead of Tacoma?
University Place, WA is 4.8 miles from Tacoma 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 Tacoma an affordable place to study nursing?
Tacoma’s median household income of $83,857 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tacoma 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.