Best Online Healthcare Programs in Gardner, MA (2026)
Gardner, Massachusetts has a population of about 21,075. The city’s median household income is $62,948 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Gardner, with tuition ranging from $11,286 to $61,106 per year. In the Worcester, MA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $119,480 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Gardner
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Gardner city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Franklin Pierce University | Rindge, NH | 13.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton, MA | 17.9 mi | $43,064 - $61,106 | – |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester, MA | 21.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Worcester State University | Worcester, MA | 23.1 mi | $11,286 - $21,586 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Gardner
Gardner is part of the Worcester, MA metro area (BLS area code 49340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $119,480 | Worcester, MA | $116,566 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $94,360 | Worcester, MA | $92,059 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $56,350 | Worcester, MA | $54,976 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $48,880 | Worcester, MA | $47,688 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $75,580 | Worcester, MA | $73,737 |
| Epidemiologist | $104,920 | MA statewide | $102,361 |
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.
Gardner at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,075 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,948 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Worcester County | 72,626 workers, 9,350 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gardner-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Fitchburg, MA – 8.7 mi away (40,414 pop)
- Leominster, MA – 11.8 mi away (119,538 pop)
- Worcester, MA – 23.5 mi away (495,856 pop)
- Nashua, NH – 27.6 mi away (230,061 pop)
- Marlborough, MA – 27.7 mi away (39,697 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Gardner, MA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Gardner. The closest is Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Worcester State University (23.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Gardner?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Gardner are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($119,480), Epidemiologist ($104,920), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($94,360). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fitchburg instead of Gardner?
Fitchburg, MA is 8.7 miles from Gardner 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 Gardner an affordable place to study healthcare?
Gardner’s median household income of $62,948 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardner while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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.
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