Best Online Nursing Programs in Cape Girardeau, MO (2026)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of about 40,047. The city’s median household income is $54,870 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Cape Girardeau, with tuition ranging from $11,691 to $27,592 per year. In Missouri, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $221,550 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Cape Girardeau
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Cape Girardeau city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.0 mi | $11,691 - $27,592 | – |
| Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center | Cape Girardeau, MO | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 28.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 39.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 52.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau is part of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 16020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,490 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $92,323 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,840 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $67,178 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,550 | MO statewide | $257,317 |
| Nurse Midwife | $134,970 | MO statewide | $156,760 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,370 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $146,771 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,700 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $41,463 |
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.
Cape Girardeau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,047 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,870 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Cape Girardeau County | 5,801 workers, 54 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cape Girardeau-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Carbondale, IL – 33.9 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 53.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 57.7 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Poplar Bluff, MO – 60.4 mi away (20,714 pop)
- Murray, KY – 83.6 mi away (20,431 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Cape Girardeau, MO?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Cape Girardeau. The closest is Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Cape Girardeau, MO (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is West Kentucky Community and Technical College (52.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Cape Girardeau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Cape Girardeau are: Nurse Anesthetist ($221,550), Nurse Midwife ($134,970), Nurse Practitioner ($126,370). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carbondale instead of Cape Girardeau?
Carbondale, IL is 33.9 miles from Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau an affordable place to study nursing?
Cape Girardeau’s median household income of $54,870 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cape Girardeau while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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.