Best Online Nursing Programs in Independence, KY (2026)
Independence, Kentucky has a population of about 29,024. The city’s median household income is $98,653 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Independence, with tuition ranging from $13,295 to $32,665 per year. In the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $204,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Independence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Independence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Community and Technical College | Florence, KY | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beckfield College-Florence | Florence, KY | 6.7 mi | $13,295 - $32,665 | – |
| ATA College-Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fortis College-Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | 12.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Independence
Independence is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area (BLS area code 17140). 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 | $81,790 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $85,734 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,530 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $65,545 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $204,400 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $214,256 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | KY statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,100 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $136,373 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,150 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $41,038 |
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.
Independence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,024 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $98,653 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Kenton County | 7,134 workers, 49 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Independence-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Florence, KY – 5.9 mi away (32,460 pop)
- Covington, KY – 5.9 mi away (40,797 pop)
- Cincinnati, OH – 13.3 mi away (1,634,573 pop)
- Fairfield, OH – 26.2 mi away (42,617 pop)
- Hamilton, OH – 30.6 mi away (62,127 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Independence, KY?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Independence. The closest is Gateway Community and Technical College in Florence, KY (5.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (12.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Independence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Independence are: Nurse Anesthetist ($204,400), Nurse Practitioner ($130,100), Registered Nurse ($81,790). 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 Florence instead of Independence?
Florence, KY is 5.9 miles from Independence 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 Independence an affordable place to study nursing?
Independence’s median household income of $98,653 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Independence 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.