Best Online Healthcare Programs in Alabaster, AL (2026)
Alabaster, Alabama has a population of about 33,633. The city’s median household income is $90,163 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Alabaster, with tuition ranging from $8,832 to $27,826 per year. In the Birmingham, AL metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $99,370 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Alabaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Alabaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis Institute-Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 15.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 15.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 17.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 19.5 mi | $8,832 - $27,826 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Alabaster
Alabaster is part of the Birmingham, AL metro area (BLS area code 13820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Alabama statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $99,370 | Birmingham, AL | $108,483 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $53,110 | AL statewide | $57,980 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $39,510 | Birmingham, AL | $43,133 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $38,290 | Birmingham, AL | $41,801 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,810 | Birmingham, AL | $67,478 |
| Epidemiologist | $72,830 | AL statewide | $79,509 |
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.
Alabaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,163 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Shelby County | 8,588 workers, 817 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Alabaster-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Pelham, AL – 7.4 mi away (23,050 pop)
- Hoover, AL – 10.8 mi away (84,978 pop)
- Bessemer, AL – 13.5 mi away (26,511 pop)
- Vestavia Hills, AL – 16.7 mi away (34,688 pop)
- Homewood, AL – 16.7 mi away (25,613 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Alabaster, AL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Alabaster. The closest is Fortis Institute-Birmingham in Birmingham, AL (15.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Alabama at Birmingham (19.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Alabaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Alabaster are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($99,370), Epidemiologist ($72,830), Healthcare Social Worker ($61,810). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Alabama statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Pelham instead of Alabaster?
Pelham, AL is 7.4 miles from Alabaster and has its own set of local healthcare programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Alabaster an affordable place to study healthcare?
Alabaster’s median household income of $90,163 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Alabaster while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Alabama 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.