Best Online Education Programs in Phoenix, AZ (2026)
Phoenix, Arizona has a population of about 1,624,832. The city’s median household income is $77,041 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 22 accredited schools offering education programs near Phoenix, with tuition ranging from $2,358 to $50,950 per year for indexed programs. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Phoenix
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 22 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Phoenix. Distances are calculated from Phoenix city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona Christian University | Glendale, AZ | 6.4 mi | $34,697 - $50,950 | – |
| Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion | Scottsdale, AZ | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | ✓ |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | 12.5 mi | $2,358 - $19,682 | – |
| Aspen University | Phoenix, AZ | 12.7 mi | $6,264 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona education page.
Education Wages Near Phoenix
Phoenix is part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (BLS area code 38060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arizona statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $62,270 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $60,281 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,070 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $58,151 |
| Middle School Teacher | $60,440 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $58,509 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $68,350 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $66,167 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $97,140 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $94,037 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,060 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $101,704 |
| Tutor | $44,470 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $43,049 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $60,350 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $58,422 |
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.
Phoenix at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,041 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Maricopa County | 57,657 workers, 2,367 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Phoenix-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Glendale, AZ – 7.8 mi away (245,895 pop)
- El Mirage, AZ – 13.8 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Scottsdale, AZ – 15.1 mi away (246,645 pop)
- Tempe, AZ – 15.6 mi away (182,498 pop)
- Avondale, AZ – 18.7 mi away (214,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Phoenix, AZ?
Our directory has 22 accredited schools offering education programs near Phoenix. The closest is Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Aspen University (12.7 miles). 1 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Phoenix?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Phoenix are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,060), Education Administrator, K-12 ($97,140), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($68,350). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arizona statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Glendale instead of Phoenix?
Glendale, AZ is 7.8 miles from Phoenix and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Phoenix an affordable place to study education?
Phoenix’s median household income of $77,041 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Phoenix while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arizona 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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.