Best Online Healthcare Programs in Portage, MI (2026)
Portage, Michigan has a population of about 49,015. The city’s median household income is $79,529 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 48.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Portage, with tuition ranging from $8,300 to $28,655 per year. In the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $99,420 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Portage
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Portage city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Medical Education Center-Portage | Portage, MI | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 5.8 mi | $15,298 - $28,655 | – |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute | Plainwell, MI | 17.0 mi | $8,300 - $16,152 | – |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Battle Creek | Battle Creek, MI | 19.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Portage
Portage is part of the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area (BLS area code 28020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $99,420 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $104,873 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $64,530 | MI statewide | $68,070 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $45,910 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $48,428 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $40,490 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $42,711 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $70,200 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $74,051 |
| Epidemiologist | $81,680 | MI statewide | $86,160 |
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.
Portage at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,015 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,529 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 48.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Kalamazoo County | 20,432 workers, 961 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portage-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Kalamazoo, MI – 5.2 mi away (214,583 pop)
- Battle Creek, MI – 19.7 mi away (77,174 pop)
- Elkhart, IN – 40.0 mi away (147,181 pop)
- Benton Harbor, MI – 44.3 mi away (60,298 pop)
- Holland, MI – 47.0 mi away (101,421 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Portage, MI?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Portage. The closest is Ross Medical Education Center-Portage in Portage, MI (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The Salon Professional Academy-Battle Creek (19.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Portage?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Portage are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($99,420), Epidemiologist ($81,680), Healthcare Social Worker ($70,200). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Kalamazoo instead of Portage?
Kalamazoo, MI is 5.2 miles from Portage 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 Portage an affordable place to study healthcare?
Portage’s median household income of $79,529 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portage while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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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