Best Online Education Programs in Cape Girardeau, MO (2026)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of about 40,047. The city’s median household income is $54,870 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Missouri, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,050 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Cape Girardeau
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Cape Girardeau city center.
No Cape Girardeau-area programs are currently indexed in our directory.
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri education page.
Education Wages Near Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau is part of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 16020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $46,410 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $53,902 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $45,280 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $52,590 |
| Middle School Teacher | $53,120 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $61,696 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $63,470 | MO statewide | $73,717 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $93,120 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $108,153 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,050 | MO statewide | $122,009 |
| Tutor | $33,300 | MO statewide | $38,676 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $50,020 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $58,095 |
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.
Cape Girardeau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,047 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,870 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Cape Girardeau County | 228 workers, 21 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cape Girardeau-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Carbondale, IL – 33.9 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 53.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 57.7 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Poplar Bluff, MO – 60.4 mi away (20,714 pop)
- Murray, KY – 83.6 mi away (20,431 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying education roles near Cape Girardeau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Cape Girardeau are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,050), Education Administrator, K-12 ($93,120), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($63,470). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carbondale instead of Cape Girardeau?
Carbondale, IL is 33.9 miles from Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau an affordable place to study education?
Cape Girardeau’s median household income of $54,870 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cape Girardeau while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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.