Best Online Healthcare Programs in Oakland, CA (2026)
Oakland, California has a population of about 438,072. The city’s median household income is $97,369 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Oakland. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $168,750 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Oakland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Oakland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merritt College | Oakland, CA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln University | Oakland, CA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Samuel Merritt University | Oakland, CA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Alameda | Alameda, CA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National Holistic Institute | Emeryville, CA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Oakland
Oakland is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $168,750 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $145,978 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $96,610 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $83,573 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $73,180 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,304 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $61,090 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $52,846 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $103,440 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $89,481 |
| Epidemiologist | $126,390 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,334 |
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.
Oakland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $97,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Alameda County | 125,297 workers, 33,240 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oakland-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Alameda, CA – 3.2 mi away (78,906 pop)
- San Leandro, CA – 6.5 mi away (90,465 pop)
- Berkeley, CA – 6.5 mi away (121,240 pop)
- Lafayette, CA – 8.8 mi away (26,103 pop)
- El Cerrito, CA – 10.1 mi away (25,400 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Oakland, CA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Oakland. The closest is Merritt College in Oakland, CA (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is National Holistic Institute (5.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Oakland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Oakland are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($168,750), Epidemiologist ($126,390), Healthcare Social Worker ($103,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Alameda instead of Oakland?
Alameda, CA is 3.2 miles from Oakland 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 Oakland an affordable place to study healthcare?
Oakland’s median household income of $97,369 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oakland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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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