Best Online Education Programs in Tempe, AZ (2026)
Tempe, Arizona has a population of about 186,419. The city’s median household income is $77,643 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. 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 Tempe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Tempe city center.
No Tempe-area programs are currently indexed in our directory.
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona education page.
Education Wages Near Tempe
Tempe 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.
Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,643 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.5% | 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 Tempe-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Chandler, AZ – 8.6 mi away (247,477 pop)
- Gilbert, AZ – 12.0 mi away (237,133 pop)
- Mesa, AZ – 12.4 mi away (484,587 pop)
- Phoenix, AZ – 15.6 mi away (4,054,083 pop)
- Fountain Hills, AZ – 18.7 mi away (24,482 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying education roles near Tempe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Tempe 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 Chandler instead of Tempe?
Chandler, AZ is 8.6 miles from Tempe 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 Tempe an affordable place to study education?
Tempe’s median household income of $77,643 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tempe 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.