Best Online Healthcare Programs in Altoona, PA (2026)
Altoona, Pennsylvania has a population of about 43,508. The city’s median household income is $50,171 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Altoona. In the Altoona, PA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $96,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Altoona
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Altoona city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | Altoona, PA | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| YTI Career Institute-Altoona | Altoona, PA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Aloysius College | Cresson, PA | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | 12.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown, PA | 28.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Altoona
Altoona is part of the Altoona, PA metro area (BLS area code 11020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $96,700 | Altoona, PA | $108,045 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $61,450 | PA statewide | $68,659 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $45,920 | Altoona, PA | $51,307 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $38,200 | Altoona, PA | $42,682 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $56,120 | Altoona, PA | $62,704 |
| Epidemiologist | $83,800 | PA statewide | $93,631 |
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.
Altoona at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,508 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,171 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Blair County | 11,547 workers, 651 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Altoona-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Johnstown, PA – 30.0 mi away (64,842 pop)
- State College, PA – 34.6 mi away (87,374 pop)
- Indiana, PA – 40.4 mi away (28,820 pop)
- Lewistown, PA – 43.9 mi away (21,854 pop)
- Chambersburg, PA – 56.0 mi away (51,948 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Altoona, PA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Altoona. The closest is Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center in Altoona, PA (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (28.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Altoona?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Altoona are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($96,700), Epidemiologist ($83,800), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($61,450). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnstown instead of Altoona?
Johnstown, PA is 30.0 miles from Altoona 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 Altoona an affordable place to study healthcare?
Altoona’s median household income of $50,171 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Altoona while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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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