Best Online Healthcare 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 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Paducah, with tuition ranging from $11,691 to $27,592 per year. In the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $100,380 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Paducah
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Paducah city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 26.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Murray State University | Murray, KY | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 46.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Cape Girardeau, MO | 52.2 mi | $11,691 - $27,592 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky healthcare page.
Healthcare 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $100,380 | Paducah, KY-IL | $116,585 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $62,630 | KY statewide | $72,741 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $43,990 | Paducah, KY-IL | $51,092 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $36,520 | Paducah, KY-IL | $42,416 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,470 | Paducah, KY-IL | $72,555 |
| Epidemiologist | $70,140 | KY statewide | $81,463 |
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 |
| Healthcare-related employment in McCracken County | 8,111 workers, 404 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paducah-Area Cities With Healthcare 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 healthcare programs are near Paducah, KY?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Paducah. The closest is West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah, KY (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences (52.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Paducah?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Paducah are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($100,380), Epidemiologist ($70,140), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($62,630). 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 healthcare 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 healthcare?
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
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