Best Online Nursing Programs in Carbondale, IL (2026)
Carbondale, Illinois has a population of about 21,813. The city’s median household income is $29,670 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Carbondale, with tuition ranging from $9,496 to $27,592 per year for indexed programs. In Illinois, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $128,620 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Carbondale
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 40 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Carbondale. Distances are calculated from Carbondale city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 32.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 33.0 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Cape Girardeau, MO | 33.9 mi | $11,691 - $27,592 | – |
| Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center | Cape Girardeau, MO | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 43.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 55.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Career Center of Southern Illinois | Red Bud, IL | 55.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Carbondale
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Illinois, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,410 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,030 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A |
| Nurse Midwife | $114,420 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,620 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,750 |
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.
Carbondale at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,813 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $29,670 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Nursing-related employment in Jackson County | 1,245 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Carbondale-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Cape Girardeau, MO – 33.9 mi away (55,253 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 55.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 66.0 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Belleville, IL – 68.7 mi away (41,906 pop)
- O’Fallon, IL – 71.2 mi away (29,031 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Carbondale, IL?
Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Carbondale. The closest is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in Carbondale, IL (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Career Center of Southern Illinois (55.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles in Illinois?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles in Illinois are: Nurse Practitioner ($128,620), Nurse Midwife ($114,420), Registered Nurse ($86,410). Wages for Carbondale workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Cape Girardeau instead of Carbondale?
Cape Girardeau, MO is 33.9 miles from Carbondale 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 Carbondale an affordable place to study nursing?
Carbondale’s median household income of $29,670 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Carbondale while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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.