Best Online Healthcare Programs in Lakeland, FL (2026)
Lakeland, Florida has a population of about 117,030. The city’s median household income is $60,947 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Lakeland, with tuition ranging from $3,366 to $27,493 per year. In the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $101,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Lakeland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Lakeland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland | Lakeland, FL | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Traviss Technical College | Lakeland, FL | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven, FL | 14.8 mi | $3,366 - $12,709 | – |
| Ridge Technical College | Winter Haven, FL | 18.3 mi | $3,918 - $27,493 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Lakeland
Lakeland is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area (BLS area code 29460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $101,590 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $104,624 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $90,160 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $92,853 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $44,910 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $46,251 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $38,400 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $39,547 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $71,130 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $73,254 |
| Epidemiologist | $76,300 | FL statewide | $78,579 |
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.
Lakeland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,947 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Polk County | 34,979 workers, 1,790 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lakeland-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Plant City, FL – 10.5 mi away (38,200 pop)
- Winter Haven, FL – 15.7 mi away (231,412 pop)
- Zephyrhills, FL – 18.8 mi away (74,712 pop)
- Haines City, FL – 21.0 mi away (23,454 pop)
- Temple Terrace, FL – 25.9 mi away (26,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Lakeland, FL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Lakeland. The closest is Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland in Lakeland, FL (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ridge Technical College (18.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Lakeland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Lakeland are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($101,590), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($90,160), Epidemiologist ($76,300). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Plant City instead of Lakeland?
Plant City, FL is 10.5 miles from Lakeland 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 Lakeland an affordable place to study healthcare?
Lakeland’s median household income of $60,947 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakeland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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.