Best Online Healthcare Programs in Van Buren, AR (2026)
Van Buren, Arkansas has a population of about 23,545. The city’s median household income is $59,420 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Van Buren, with tuition ranging from $9,748 to $28,772 per year. In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $85,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Van Buren
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Van Buren city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas Colleges of Health Education | Fort Smith, AR | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carl Albert State College | Poteau, OK | 32.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 46.0 mi | $9,748 - $28,772 | – |
| Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK | 47.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Van Buren
Van Buren is part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area (BLS area code 22900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $85,230 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $99,220 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $65,510 | AR statewide | $76,263 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $36,730 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $42,759 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $34,730 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $40,431 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $57,820 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $67,311 |
| Epidemiologist | N/A | AR statewide | – |
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.
Van Buren at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,545 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,420 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Crawford County | 1,764 workers, 170 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Van Buren-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Fort Smith, AR – 6.9 mi away (125,699 pop)
- Fayetteville, AR – 44.3 mi away (336,152 pop)
- Siloam Springs, AR – 51.8 mi away (21,136 pop)
- Springdale, AR – 52.4 mi away (78,557 pop)
- Muskogee, OK – 60.0 mi away (41,117 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Van Buren, AR?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Van Buren. The closest is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR (4.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeastern State University (47.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Van Buren?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Van Buren are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($85,230), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($65,510), Healthcare Social Worker ($57,820). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fort Smith instead of Van Buren?
Fort Smith, AR is 6.9 miles from Van Buren 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 Van Buren an affordable place to study healthcare?
Van Buren’s median household income of $59,420 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Van Buren while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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
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