Best Online Nursing 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 nursing programs within 100 miles of Paducah, with tuition ranging from $11,691 to $27,592 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 Paducah
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing 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 | – |
| 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 | – |
| Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center | Cape Girardeau, MO | 52.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky nursing page.
Nursing 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,400 | Paducah, KY-IL | $89,895 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,590 | Paducah, KY-IL | $70,372 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,430 | KY statewide | $246,725 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | KY statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,160 | Paducah, KY-IL | $126,783 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,620 | Paducah, KY-IL | $42,532 |
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 |
Other Paducah-Area Cities With Nursing 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 nursing programs are near Paducah, KY?
Our directory lists 5 nursing 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 Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center (52.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Paducah?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Paducah are: Nurse Anesthetist ($212,430), Nurse Practitioner ($109,160), Registered Nurse ($77,400). 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 nursing 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 nursing?
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.