Best Online Nursing Programs in Owensboro, KY (2026)
Owensboro, Kentucky has a population of about 60,112. The city’s median household income is $53,295 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Owensboro, with tuition ranging from $4,390 to $16,639 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 Owensboro
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Owensboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro Community and Technical College | Owensboro, KY | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | 28.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Henderson Community College | Henderson, KY | 29.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madisonville Community College | Madisonville, KY | 34.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wabash Valley College | Mount Carmel, IL | 58.7 mi | $4,390 - $16,639 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Owensboro
Owensboro is part of the Owensboro, KY metro area (BLS area code 36980). 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 | $79,510 | Owensboro, KY | $89,740 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,730 | Owensboro, KY | $67,415 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,430 | KY statewide | $239,763 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | KY statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,850 | Owensboro, KY | $135,271 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,950 | Owensboro, KY | $42,833 |
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.
Owensboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,112 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,295 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Owensboro-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Henderson, KY – 25.8 mi away (28,841 pop)
- Madisonville, KY – 35.7 mi away (24,565 pop)
- Radcliff, KY – 64.7 mi away (22,490 pop)
- Bowling Green, KY – 65.9 mi away (87,976 pop)
- Hopkinsville, KY – 66.5 mi away (32,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Owensboro, KY?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Owensboro. The closest is Owensboro Community and Technical College in Owensboro, KY (3.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wabash Valley College (58.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Owensboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Owensboro are: Nurse Anesthetist ($212,430), Nurse Practitioner ($119,850), Registered Nurse ($79,510). 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 Henderson instead of Owensboro?
Henderson, KY is 25.8 miles from Owensboro 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 Owensboro an affordable place to study nursing?
Owensboro’s median household income of $53,295 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Owensboro 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.