Best Online Education Programs in Merced, CA (2026)
Merced, California has a population of about 89,766. The city’s median household income is $59,938 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited education program within 100 miles of Merced. In the Merced, CA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $152,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Merced
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Merced city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | 52.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California education page.
Education Wages Near Merced
Merced is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). 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 | $97,470 | Merced, CA | $99,156 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $97,400 | Merced, CA | $99,084 |
| Middle School Teacher | $105,100 | Merced, CA | $106,918 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $85,560 | CA statewide | $87,040 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $152,950 | Merced, CA | $155,595 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $140,160 | Merced, CA | $142,584 |
| Tutor | $37,800 | Merced, CA | $38,454 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $76,060 | Merced, CA | $77,375 |
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.
Merced at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Merced County | 291 workers, 30 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Merced-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Atwater, CA – 7.4 mi away (29,270 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 25.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 26.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Madera, CA – 32.2 mi away (82,278 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 33.3 mi away (48,278 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Merced, CA?
Our directory lists 1 education programs within 100 miles of Merced. The closest is Fresno City College in Fresno, CA (52.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fresno City College (52.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Merced?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Merced are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($152,950), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($140,160), Middle School Teacher ($105,100). 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 Atwater instead of Merced?
Atwater, CA is 7.4 miles from Merced 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 Merced an affordable place to study education?
Merced’s median household income of $59,938 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merced 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.
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