Best Online Healthcare Programs in Independence, KY (2026)
Independence, Kentucky has a population of about 29,024. The city’s median household income is $98,653 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Independence, with tuition ranging from $13,295 to $32,665 per year. In the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $105,360 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Independence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Independence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Community and Technical College | Florence, KY | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Erlanger | Erlanger, KY | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beckfield College-Florence | Florence, KY | 6.7 mi | $13,295 - $32,665 | – |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Interactive College of Technology-Newport | Newport, KY | 10.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Independence
Independence is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area (BLS area code 17140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kentucky statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $105,360 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $110,440 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $62,930 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $65,964 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,630 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $54,119 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $44,130 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,258 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $66,670 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $69,885 |
| Epidemiologist | $70,140 | KY statewide | $73,522 |
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.
Independence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,024 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $98,653 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Kenton County | 12,656 workers, 693 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Independence-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Florence, KY – 5.9 mi away (32,460 pop)
- Covington, KY – 5.9 mi away (40,797 pop)
- Cincinnati, OH – 13.3 mi away (1,634,573 pop)
- Fairfield, OH – 26.2 mi away (42,617 pop)
- Hamilton, OH – 30.6 mi away (62,127 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Independence, KY?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Independence. The closest is Gateway Community and Technical College in Florence, KY (5.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Interactive College of Technology-Newport (10.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Independence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Independence are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($105,360), Epidemiologist ($70,140), Healthcare Social Worker ($66,670). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kentucky statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Florence instead of Independence?
Florence, KY is 5.9 miles from Independence 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 Independence an affordable place to study healthcare?
Independence’s median household income of $98,653 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Independence while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kentucky 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
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