Best Online Nursing Programs in La Crosse, WI (2026)
La Crosse, Wisconsin has a population of about 51,791. The city’s median household income is $53,803 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of La Crosse. In Wisconsin, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $135,360 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to La Crosse
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from La Crosse city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winona State University | Winona, MN | 25.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 55.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN | 61.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near La Crosse
La Crosse is part of the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area (BLS area code 29100). 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 | $95,800 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $104,357 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,760 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $67,277 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | WI statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,360 | WI statewide | $147,451 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,580 | WI statewide | $140,065 |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,460 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $45,163 |
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.
La Crosse at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,791 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,803 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in La Crosse County | 10,237 workers, 52 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other La Crosse-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Winona, MN – 27.0 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Rochester, MN – 63.6 mi away (114,976 pop)
- Eau Claire, WI – 70.1 mi away (106,681 pop)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI – 79.9 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Austin, MN – 87.8 mi away (25,105 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near La Crosse, WI?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of La Crosse. The closest is Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rochester Community and Technical College (61.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near La Crosse?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near La Crosse are: Nurse Midwife ($135,360), Nurse Practitioner ($128,580), Registered Nurse ($95,800). 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 La Crosse?
Winona, MN is 27.0 miles from La Crosse 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 La Crosse an affordable place to study nursing?
La Crosse’s median household income of $53,803 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in La Crosse 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.