Best Online Healthcare Programs in Asheville, NC (2026)
Asheville, North Carolina has a population of about 94,369. The city’s median household income is $67,221 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Asheville, with tuition ranging from $2,660 to $13,097 per year. In the Asheville, NC metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $103,200 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Asheville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Asheville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville, NC | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Center for Massage | Asheville, NC | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock, NC | 19.7 mi | $2,660 - $13,097 | – |
| Haywood Community College | Clyde, NC | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | 33.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Asheville
Asheville is part of the Asheville, NC metro area (BLS area code 11700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $103,200 | Asheville, NC | $106,943 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $61,080 | NC statewide | $63,295 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $44,610 | Asheville, NC | $46,228 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $38,900 | Asheville, NC | $40,311 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,160 | Asheville, NC | $65,451 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,430 | NC statewide | $85,420 |
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.
Asheville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,221 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Buncombe County | 23,432 workers, 1,593 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Asheville-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Forest City, NC – 41.8 mi away (25,817 pop)
- Greeneville, TN – 43.9 mi away (23,953 pop)
- Greer, SC – 47.5 mi away (29,000 pop)
- Greenville, SC – 51.8 mi away (462,640 pop)
- Easley, SC – 51.9 mi away (20,953 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Asheville, NC?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Asheville. The closest is Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, NC (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is McDowell Technical Community College (33.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Asheville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Asheville are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($103,200), Epidemiologist ($82,430), Healthcare Social Worker ($63,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Forest City instead of Asheville?
Forest City, NC is 41.8 miles from Asheville 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 Asheville an affordable place to study healthcare?
Asheville’s median household income of $67,221 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Asheville while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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
- Online Healthcare Programs in North Carolina
- Main Healthcare Degree Guide
- Healthcare Programs by State
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