Best Online Nursing Programs in Ashland, KY (2026)
Ashland, Kentucky has a population of about 21,405. The city’s median household income is $52,199 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 24.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Ashland, with tuition ranging from $4,656 to $13,571 per year. In Kentucky, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $212,430 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Ashland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Ashland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Community and Technical College | Ashland, KY | 1.4 mi | $4,656 - $13,571 | – |
| Collins Career Technical Center | Chesapeake, OH | 10.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cabell County Career Technology Center | Huntington, WV | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Buckeye Hills Career Center | Rio Grande, OH | 32.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Rio Grande | Rio Grande, OH | 32.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Ashland
Ashland is part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area (BLS area code 26580). 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,330 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $93,133 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $50,820 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,489 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,430 | KY statewide | $240,305 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | KY statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,510 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $135,192 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,910 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $40,622 |
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.
Ashland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,405 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,199 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 24.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Ashland-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Huntington, WV – 11.9 mi away (198,419 pop)
- Portsmouth, OH – 26.0 mi away (36,584 pop)
- Charleston, WV – 55.4 mi away (146,462 pop)
- Chillicothe, OH – 63.6 mi away (32,004 pop)
- Athens, OH – 66.8 mi away (30,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Ashland, KY?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Ashland. The closest is Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland, KY (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Rio Grande (32.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Ashland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Ashland are: Nurse Anesthetist ($212,430), Nurse Practitioner ($119,510), Registered Nurse ($82,330). 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 Huntington instead of Ashland?
Huntington, WV is 11.9 miles from Ashland 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 Ashland an affordable place to study nursing?
Ashland’s median household income of $52,199 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ashland 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.