Best Online Computer Science Programs in Paducah, KY (2026)
Paducah, Kentucky has a population of about 26,894. The city’s median household income is $51,243 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Paducah, with tuition ranging from $9,496 to $23,337 per year. In the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $109,620 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Paducah
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Paducah city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State University | Murray, KY | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 46.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | 51.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 51.6 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 52.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Paducah
Paducah is part of the Paducah, KY-IL metro area (BLS area code 37140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kentucky statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $104,620 | Paducah, KY-IL | $121,510 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $74,560 | Paducah, KY-IL | $86,597 |
| Computer Network Architect | $106,990 | KY statewide | $124,262 |
| Database Administrator | $83,980 | KY statewide | $97,538 |
| Database Architect | $102,560 | KY statewide | $119,117 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,210 | KY statewide | $114,065 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $61,040 | KY statewide | $70,894 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $55,870 | Paducah, KY-IL | $64,890 |
| Web Developer | $80,960 | KY statewide | $94,030 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $66,190 | KY statewide | $76,876 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $109,620 | Paducah, KY-IL | $127,317 |
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.
Paducah at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,894 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,243 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in McCracken County | 151 workers, 48 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paducah-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Murray, KY – 36.2 mi away (20,431 pop)
- Cape Girardeau, MO – 53.1 mi away (55,253 pop)
- Carbondale, IL – 55.1 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Madisonville, KY – 65.5 mi away (24,565 pop)
- Hopkinsville, KY – 66.3 mi away (32,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Paducah, KY?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Paducah. The closest is Murray State University in Murray, KY (36.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is John A Logan College (52.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Paducah?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Paducah are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($109,620), Computer Network Architect ($106,990), Software Developer ($104,620). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kentucky statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Murray instead of Paducah?
Murray, KY is 36.2 miles from Paducah and has its own set of local computer science programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Paducah an affordable place to study computer science?
Paducah’s median household income of $51,243 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Paducah while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kentucky 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.
Related Resources
- Online Computer Science Programs in Kentucky
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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