Best Online Nursing Programs in Columbus, MS (2026)
Columbus, Mississippi has a population of about 23,616. The city’s median household income is $40,588 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 19 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Columbus, with tuition ranging from $3,420 to $33,200 per year for indexed programs. In Mississippi, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $197,490 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Columbus
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 19 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Columbus. Distances are calculated from Columbus city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS | 1.1 mi | $8,092 - $21,808 | – |
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | 47.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 53.1 mi | $3,420 - $11,557 | – |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 54.1 mi | $11,900 - $33,200 | – |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa, AL | 56.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 64.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | 69.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, MS | 80.6 mi | $4,770 - $14,779 | – |
| Meridian Community College | Meridian, MS | 81.0 mi | $3,932 - $13,402 | – |
| East Central Community College | Decatur, MS | 84.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Columbus
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Mississippi, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $74,470 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $48,850 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $197,490 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,290 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,460 |
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.
Columbus at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,616 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $40,588 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Columbus-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Starkville, MS – 24.2 mi away (32,441 pop)
- Northport, AL – 50.1 mi away (25,045 pop)
- Tupelo, MS – 55.2 mi away (46,095 pop)
- Meridian, MS – 79.3 mi away (39,478 pop)
- Bessemer, AL – 83.7 mi away (26,511 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Columbus, MS?
Our directory has 19 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Columbus. The closest is Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is East Central Community College (84.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles in Mississippi?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles in Mississippi are: Nurse Anesthetist ($197,490), Nurse Practitioner ($119,290), Registered Nurse ($74,470). Wages for Columbus workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Starkville instead of Columbus?
Starkville, MS is 24.2 miles from Columbus 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 Columbus an affordable place to study nursing?
Columbus’s median household income of $40,588 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbus while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi 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.
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