Best Online Healthcare Programs in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of about 59,889. The city’s median household income is $85,825 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 77.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill, with tuition ranging from $2,528 to $22,570 per year. In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Epidemiologist at a median $139,670 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Chapel Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Chapel Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | 20.3 mi | $2,528 - $22,570 | – |
| Gwinnett College | Raleigh, NC | 25.8 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 Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). 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 | $130,300 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $133,504 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $61,080 | NC statewide | $62,582 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,480 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,967 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $45,500 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,619 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $77,460 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $79,365 |
| Epidemiologist | $139,670 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $143,105 |
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.
Chapel Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,889 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,825 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 77.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Orange County | 6,000 workers, 606 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chapel Hill-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Carrboro, NC – 2.7 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Durham, NC – 8.4 mi away (400,379 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 13.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 16.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.0 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Chapel Hill, NC?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill. The closest is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gwinnett College (25.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Chapel Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Chapel Hill are: Epidemiologist ($139,670), Medical and Health Services Manager ($130,300), Healthcare Social Worker ($77,460). 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 Carrboro instead of Chapel Hill?
Carrboro, NC is 2.7 miles from Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill an affordable place to study healthcare?
Chapel Hill’s median household income of $85,825 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chapel Hill 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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