Best Online Healthcare Programs in Hays, KS (2026)
Hays, Kansas has a population of about 21,078. The city’s median household income is $56,861 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering healthcare programs near Hays, with tuition ranging from $32,200 to $44,836 per year for indexed programs. In Kansas, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $104,990 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Hays
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 12 schools in our directory that offer healthcare programs near Hays. Distances are calculated from Hays city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | 45.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sterling College | Sterling, KS | 75.5 mi | $32,200 - $44,836 | – |
| North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS | 77.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dodge City Community College | Dodge City, KS | 85.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS | 90.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethany College | Lindsborg, KS | 91.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina, KS | 92.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS | 94.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Christian College of Kansas | McPherson, KS | 96.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Hays
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Kansas, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $104,990 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $66,520 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,670 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $39,540 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,280 |
| Epidemiologist | $69,760 |
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.
Hays at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,078 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,861 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Healthcare-related employment in Ellis County | 3,230 workers, 115 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hays-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Dodge City, KS – 86.1 mi away (27,429 pop)
- Salina, KS – 91.9 mi away (47,123 pop)
- Hutchinson, KS – 94.9 mi away (43,507 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare schools are near Hays, KS?
Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering healthcare programs near Hays. The closest is Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Christian College of Kansas (96.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles in Kansas?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles in Kansas are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($104,990), Epidemiologist ($69,760), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($66,520). Wages for Hays workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Dodge City instead of Hays?
Dodge City, KS is 86.1 miles from Hays 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 Hays an affordable place to study healthcare?
Hays’s median household income of $56,861 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hays while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.