Best Online Healthcare Programs in Marion, IA (2026)
Marion, Iowa has a population of about 41,690. The city’s median household income is $87,105 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Marion, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $14,797 per year. In the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $100,520 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Marion
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Marion city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy-St Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology | Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Capri College-Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids, IA | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 9.6 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| Carlson College of Massage Therapy | Anamosa, IA | 16.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| PCI Academy-Iowa City | Iowa City, IA | 28.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Marion
Marion is part of the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area (BLS area code 16300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $100,520 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $112,944 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $71,980 | IA statewide | $80,876 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,580 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,955 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $39,180 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,022 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,360 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $71,191 |
| Epidemiologist | $80,300 | IA statewide | $90,225 |
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.
Marion at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,690 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,105 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Linn County | 17,505 workers, 993 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Marion-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 7.2 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Coralville, IA – 23.9 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Iowa City, IA – 27.0 mi away (116,891 pop)
- Waterloo, IA – 49.9 mi away (112,635 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 50.8 mi away (26,481 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Marion, IA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Marion. The closest is Mercy-St Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology in Cedar Rapids, IA (5.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is PCI Academy-Iowa City (28.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Marion?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Marion are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($100,520), Epidemiologist ($80,300), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($71,980). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cedar Rapids instead of Marion?
Cedar Rapids, IA is 7.2 miles from Marion 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 Marion an affordable place to study healthcare?
Marion’s median household income of $87,105 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Marion while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa 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.