Best Online Healthcare Programs in Rochester, MN (2026)
Rochester, Minnesota has a population of about 121,638. The city’s median household income is $87,767 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Rochester. In the Rochester, MN metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $130,330 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester, MN | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN | 58.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, MN metro area (BLS area code 40340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Minnesota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $130,330 | Rochester, MN | $143,535 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $74,780 | Rochester, MN | $82,357 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $59,310 | MN statewide | $65,319 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $48,080 | Rochester, MN | $52,952 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $80,130 | Rochester, MN | $88,249 |
| Epidemiologist | $99,360 | MN statewide | $109,427 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,767 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Olmsted County | 49,424 workers, 640 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Austin, MN – 34.3 mi away (25,105 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 37.8 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Winona, MN – 40.2 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Faribault, MN – 44.3 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 45.8 mi away (22,005 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Rochester, MN?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, MN (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Dakota County Technical College (58.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Rochester are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($130,330), Epidemiologist ($99,360), Healthcare Social Worker ($80,130). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Minnesota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Austin instead of Rochester?
Austin, MN is 34.3 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study healthcare?
Rochester’s median household income of $87,767 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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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