Best Online Education Programs in Surprise, AZ (2026)
Surprise, Arizona has a population of about 149,519. The city’s median household income is $93,371 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 22 accredited schools offering education programs near Surprise, 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 Surprise
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 22 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Surprise. Distances are calculated from Surprise city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa University-Surprise | Surprise, AZ | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona Christian University | Glendale, AZ | 16.1 mi | $34,697 - $50,950 | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 21.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ | 25.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 25.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 30.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | 31.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Mountain Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 31.8 mi | $2,358 - $17,872 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona education page.
Education Wages Near Surprise
Surprise 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.
Surprise at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,371 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.0% | 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 Surprise-Area Cities With Education Programs
- El Mirage, AZ – 9.5 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Peoria, AZ – 11.4 mi away (164,173 pop)
- Glendale, AZ – 14.8 mi away (245,895 pop)
- Buckeye, AZ – 20.4 mi away (64,629 pop)
- Avondale, AZ – 21.7 mi away (214,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Surprise, AZ?
Our directory has 22 accredited schools offering education programs near Surprise. The closest is Ottawa University-Surprise in Surprise, AZ (6.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Mountain Community College (31.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Surprise?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Surprise 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 El Mirage instead of Surprise?
El Mirage, AZ is 9.5 miles from Surprise 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 Surprise an affordable place to study education?
Surprise’s median household income of $93,371 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Surprise 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.