Best Online Healthcare Programs in Gastonia, NC (2026)
Gastonia, North Carolina has a population of about 81,632. The city’s median household income is $60,554 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Gastonia, with tuition ranging from $2,602 to $10,951 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $104,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Gastonia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Gastonia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carolinas College of Health Sciences | Charlotte, NC | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 17.4 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| Southeastern College-Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 17.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 20.2 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Gastonia
Gastonia is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $104,770 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $107,677 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $44,080 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,303 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,753 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $43,800 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,015 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $66,850 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $68,705 |
| Epidemiologist | $64,420 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $66,208 |
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.
Gastonia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,554 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Gaston County | 13,480 workers, 608 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gastonia-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 15.8 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 20.2 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 20.3 mi away (27,288 pop)
- Huntersville, NC – 20.6 mi away (54,839 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 23.0 mi away (28,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Gastonia, NC?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Gastonia. The closest is Gaston College in Dallas, NC (4.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Piedmont Community College (20.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Gastonia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Gastonia are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($104,770), Healthcare Social Worker ($66,850), Epidemiologist ($64,420). 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 Lincolnton instead of Gastonia?
Lincolnton, NC is 15.8 miles from Gastonia 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 Gastonia an affordable place to study healthcare?
Gastonia’s median household income of $60,554 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gastonia 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
Back to Best Online Healthcare Programs in North Carolina (2026)
Return to Best Online Healthcare Programs in North Carolina (2026)