Best Online Education Programs in Brea, CA (2026)
Brea, California has a population of about 47,337. The city’s median household income is $124,837 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Brea, with tuition ranging from $6,813 to $18,698 per year. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $139,080 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Brea
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Brea city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA | 13.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 19.8 mi | $6,813 - $18,698 | – |
| Compton College | Compton, CA | 20.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California education page.
Education Wages Near Brea
Brea is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $97,970 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $86,241 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,580 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $88,539 |
| Middle School Teacher | $94,940 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,574 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $78,370 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,988 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $139,080 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,430 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $120,970 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,488 |
| Tutor | $42,300 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,236 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $85,660 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,405 |
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.
Brea at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,337 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $124,837 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Orange County | 35,514 workers, 2,068 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Brea-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Placentia, CA – 3.1 mi away (52,228 pop)
- Fullerton, CA – 4.6 mi away (140,721 pop)
- La Habra, CA – 4.9 mi away (61,664 pop)
- Diamond Bar, CA – 5.8 mi away (56,793 pop)
- Yorba Linda, CA – 6.0 mi away (68,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Brea, CA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Brea. The closest is Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA (4.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is El Camino Community College District (26.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Brea?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Brea are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($139,080), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($120,970), Elementary School Teacher ($100,580). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Placentia instead of Brea?
Placentia, CA is 3.1 miles from Brea 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 Brea an affordable place to study education?
Brea’s median household income of $124,837 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Brea while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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
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