Best Online Healthcare Programs in Waco, TX (2026)
Waco, Texas has a population of about 141,925. The city’s median household income is $51,468 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Waco, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $13,382 per year. In the Waco, TX metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $106,650 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Waco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Waco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLennan Community College | Waco, TX | 2.4 mi | $3,660 - $13,382 | – |
| Baylor University | Waco, TX | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Careers Institute-Waco | Waco, TX | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco, TX | 7.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hill College | Hillsboro, TX | 31.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Waco
Waco is part of the Waco, TX metro area (BLS area code 47380). 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 | $106,650 | Waco, TX | $115,297 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $78,060 | TX statewide | $84,389 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $43,060 | Waco, TX | $46,551 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $37,660 | Waco, TX | $40,714 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $68,220 | Waco, TX | $73,751 |
| Epidemiologist | $76,420 | TX statewide | $82,616 |
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.
Waco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,468 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in McLennan County | 15,374 workers, 620 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waco-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Temple, TX – 33.4 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Belton, TX – 38.8 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 43.9 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Killeen, TX – 46.2 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 52.6 mi away (32,808 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Waco, TX?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Waco. The closest is McLennan Community College in Waco, TX (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hill College (31.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Waco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Waco are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($106,650), 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 Temple instead of Waco?
Temple, TX is 33.4 miles from Waco 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 Waco an affordable place to study healthcare?
Waco’s median household income of $51,468 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waco 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.