Best Online Healthcare Programs in Petaluma, CA (2026)
Petaluma, California has a population of about 59,321. The city’s median household income is $109,823 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Petaluma. In the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $155,640 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Petaluma
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Petaluma city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 15.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Napa Valley College | Napa, CA | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Marin | Kentfield, CA | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Petaluma
Petaluma is part of the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area (BLS area code 42220). 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 | $155,640 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $144,378 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $95,340 | CA statewide | $88,442 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,810 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $56,410 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $56,980 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $52,857 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $114,480 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $106,197 |
| Epidemiologist | $100,410 | CA statewide | $93,145 |
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.
Petaluma at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,321 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,823 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 107.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Sonoma County | 33,992 workers, 7,438 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Petaluma-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Rohnert Park, CA – 8.2 mi away (42,622 pop)
- Sonoma, CA – 9.6 mi away (33,923 pop)
- Novato, CA – 11.0 mi away (56,004 pop)
- Santa Rosa, CA – 14.7 mi away (321,699 pop)
- Napa, CA – 18.1 mi away (87,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Petaluma, CA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Petaluma. The closest is Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, CA (15.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Contra Costa College (24.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Petaluma?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Petaluma are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($155,640), Healthcare Social Worker ($114,480), Epidemiologist ($100,410). 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 Rohnert Park instead of Petaluma?
Rohnert Park, CA is 8.2 miles from Petaluma 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 Petaluma an affordable place to study healthcare?
Petaluma’s median household income of $109,823 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Petaluma 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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