Best Online Healthcare Programs in Salem, VA (2026)
Salem, Virginia has a population of about 25,477. The city’s median household income is $66,716 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Salem, with tuition ranging from $12,286 to $26,681 per year. In the Roanoke, VA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $120,020 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American National University | Salem, VA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Radford University | Radford, VA | 29.1 mi | $12,286 - $26,681 | – |
| New River Community College | Dublin, VA | 36.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge, VA | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Salem
Salem is part of the Roanoke, VA metro area (BLS area code 40220). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $120,020 | Roanoke, VA | $128,226 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $50,010 | VA statewide | $53,429 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $46,150 | Roanoke, VA | $49,306 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $37,640 | Roanoke, VA | $40,214 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,710 | Roanoke, VA | $64,861 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,490 | VA statewide | $90,267 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,477 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,716 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Salem (city) County | 3,470 workers, 192 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Roanoke, VA – 5.4 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Blacksburg, VA – 20.8 mi away (93,560 pop)
- Christiansburg, VA – 21.6 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 43.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 48.1 mi away (123,795 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Salem, VA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Salem. The closest is American National University in Salem, VA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mountain Gateway Community College (38.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Salem are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($120,020), Epidemiologist ($84,490), Healthcare Social Worker ($60,710). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Roanoke instead of Salem?
Roanoke, VA is 5.4 miles from Salem 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 Salem an affordable place to study healthcare?
Salem’s median household income of $66,716 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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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