Best Online Nursing Programs in Eau Claire, WI (2026)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin has a population of about 69,274. The city’s median household income is $65,369 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Eau Claire. In Wisconsin, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $135,360 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Eau Claire
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Eau Claire city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winona State University | Winona, MN | 53.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 55.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | 70.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Eau Claire
Eau Claire is part of the Eau Claire, WI metro area (BLS area code 20740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,420 | Eau Claire, WI | $87,737 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,860 | Eau Claire, WI | $63,427 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | WI statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,360 | WI statewide | $145,862 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,770 | Eau Claire, WI | $137,683 |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,810 | Eau Claire, WI | $45,054 |
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.
Eau Claire at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Eau Claire County | 5,473 workers, 75 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Eau Claire-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Winona, MN – 53.8 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Hudson, WI – 61.4 mi away (24,001 pop)
- Hastings, MN – 66.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- La Crosse, WI – 70.1 mi away (102,427 pop)
- Woodbury, MN – 70.2 mi away (68,820 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Eau Claire, WI?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Eau Claire. The closest is Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Technical College (70.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Eau Claire?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Eau Claire are: Nurse Midwife ($135,360), Nurse Practitioner ($127,770), Registered Nurse ($81,420). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Winona instead of Eau Claire?
Winona, MN is 53.8 miles from Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire an affordable place to study nursing?
Eau Claire’s median household income of $65,369 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Eau Claire while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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.