Best Online Healthcare Programs in Erie, PA (2026)
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,156. The city’s median household income is $43,397 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Erie, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $16,744 per year. In the Erie, PA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $95,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Erie
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Erie city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gannon University | Erie, PA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology | Erie, PA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula, OH | 41.9 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| Jamestown Business College | Jamestown, NY | 42.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Erie
Erie is part of the Erie, PA metro area (BLS area code 21500). 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 | $95,680 | Erie, PA | $105,143 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $61,450 | PA statewide | $67,527 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $45,000 | Erie, PA | $49,451 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $38,550 | Erie, PA | $42,363 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $59,120 | Erie, PA | $64,967 |
| Epidemiologist | $83,800 | PA statewide | $92,088 |
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.
Erie at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Erie County | 25,769 workers, 1,225 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Erie-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Meadville, PA – 32.6 mi away (23,131 pop)
- Ashtabula, OH – 40.7 mi away (28,097 pop)
- Jamestown, NY – 42.9 mi away (41,492 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 45.4 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Mentor, OH – 71.3 mi away (46,732 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Erie, PA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Erie. The closest is Gannon University in Erie, PA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jamestown Business College (42.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Erie?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Erie are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($95,680), 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 Meadville instead of Erie?
Meadville, PA is 32.6 miles from Erie 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 Erie an affordable place to study healthcare?
Erie’s median household income of $43,397 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Erie 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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