Best Online Healthcare Programs in Abilene, TX (2026)
Abilene, Texas has a population of about 127,130. The city’s median household income is $62,720 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Abilene, with tuition ranging from $3,240 to $12,444 per year. In the Abilene, TX metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $101,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Abilene
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Abilene city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian University | Abilene, TX | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, TX | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cisco College | Cisco, TX | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ranger College | Ranger, TX | 61.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Texas College | Snyder, TX | 70.3 mi | $3,240 - $12,444 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Abilene
Abilene is part of the Abilene, TX metro area (BLS area code 10180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $101,590 | Abilene, TX | $112,378 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $78,060 | TX statewide | $86,350 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $42,990 | Abilene, TX | $47,555 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $39,560 | Abilene, TX | $43,761 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $59,950 | Abilene, TX | $66,316 |
| Epidemiologist | $76,420 | TX statewide | $84,535 |
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.
Abilene at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Taylor County | 12,208 workers, 461 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Abilene-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Brownwood, TX – 67.9 mi away (22,551 pop)
- San Angelo, TX – 81.4 mi away (100,472 pop)
- Stephenville, TX – 90.1 mi away (20,213 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Abilene, TX?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Abilene. The closest is Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Texas College (70.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Abilene?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Abilene are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($101,590), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($78,060), Epidemiologist ($76,420). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brownwood instead of Abilene?
Brownwood, TX is 67.9 miles from Abilene 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 Abilene an affordable place to study healthcare?
Abilene’s median household income of $62,720 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Abilene while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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.