Best Online Education 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. Our directory has 15 accredited schools offering education programs near Paducah, with tuition ranging from $9,496 to $23,337 per year for indexed programs. In Kentucky, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,660 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Paducah
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 15 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Paducah. Distances are calculated from Paducah city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State University | Murray, KY | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 51.6 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | 52.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 52.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 54.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethel University | McKenzie, TN | 64.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN | 80.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | 81.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | 82.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Evansville | Evansville, IN | 87.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky education page.
Education 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $60,720 | Paducah, KY-IL | $70,523 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,190 | Paducah, KY-IL | $67,584 |
| Middle School Teacher | $62,320 | Paducah, KY-IL | $72,381 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $61,320 | KY statewide | $71,220 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $102,640 | Paducah, KY-IL | $119,210 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,660 | KY statewide | $122,718 |
| Tutor | $35,930 | KY statewide | $41,731 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $67,710 | Paducah, KY-IL | $78,641 |
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 |
| Education-related employment in McCracken County | 126 workers, 33 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paducah-Area Cities With Education 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 education schools are near Paducah, KY?
Our directory has 15 accredited schools offering education programs near Paducah. The closest is Murray State University in Murray, KY (36.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Evansville (87.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Paducah?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Paducah are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,660), Education Administrator, K-12 ($102,640), Educational and Career Counselor ($67,710). 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 education 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 education?
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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.