Best Online Healthcare Programs in Athens, GA (2026)
Athens, Georgia has a population of about 137,582. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Athens, with tuition ranging from $3,172 to $13,425 per year. In the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $140,640 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Athens
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Athens city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Athens Technical College | Athens, GA | 3.1 mi | $3,172 - $13,425 | – |
| Lanier Technical College | Gainesville, GA | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Brenau University | Gainesville, GA | 35.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Phoenix Institute | Gainesville, GA | 35.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Georgia schools on the Georgia healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Athens
Athens is part of the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area (BLS area code 12020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Georgia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $140,640 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $150,740 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $58,280 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $62,465 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,000 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $50,375 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $39,930 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $42,797 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $58,640 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $62,851 |
| Epidemiologist | $68,160 | GA statewide | $73,055 |
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.
Athens at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Clarke County | 11,795 workers, 567 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Athens-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Winder, GA – 20.4 mi away (42,330 pop)
- Gainesville, GA – 35.3 mi away (154,859 pop)
- Lawrenceville, GA – 35.8 mi away (30,782 pop)
- Sugar Hill, GA – 40.8 mi away (22,197 pop)
- Duluth, GA – 44.9 mi away (29,331 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Athens, GA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Athens. The closest is University of Georgia in Athens, GA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Phoenix Institute (35.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Athens?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Athens are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($140,640), Epidemiologist ($68,160), Healthcare Social Worker ($58,640). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Georgia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Winder instead of Athens?
Winder, GA is 20.4 miles from Athens 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.
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.