Best Online Healthcare Programs in Watsonville, CA (2026)
Watsonville, California has a population of about 51,968. The city’s median household income is $74,785 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Watsonville. In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $136,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Watsonville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Watsonville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CET-Watsonville | Watsonville, CA | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CET-Salinas | Salinas, CA | 16.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Coast College | Salinas, CA | 16.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Watsonville
Watsonville is part of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area (BLS area code 42100). 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 | $136,030 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $123,776 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $95,340 | CA statewide | $86,752 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $52,550 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $47,816 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $49,880 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $45,387 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $93,230 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $84,832 |
| Epidemiologist | $100,410 | CA statewide | $91,365 |
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.
Watsonville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,968 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $74,785 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Santa Cruz County | 16,901 workers, 3,345 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Watsonville-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Gilroy, CA – 11.8 mi away (111,004 pop)
- Santa Cruz, CA – 15.1 mi away (176,037 pop)
- Morgan Hill, CA – 16.3 mi away (44,155 pop)
- Marina, CA – 16.6 mi away (21,688 pop)
- Salinas, CA – 17.8 mi away (193,126 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Watsonville, CA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Watsonville. The closest is CET-Watsonville in Watsonville, CA (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Coast College (16.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Watsonville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Watsonville are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($136,030), Epidemiologist ($100,410), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($95,340). 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 Gilroy instead of Watsonville?
Gilroy, CA is 11.8 miles from Watsonville 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 Watsonville an affordable place to study healthcare?
Watsonville’s median household income of $74,785 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Watsonville 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.
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