Best Online Education Programs in Santa Ana, CA (2026)
Santa Ana, California has a population of about 311,639. The city’s median household income is $88,354 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Ana city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA | 16.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Compton College | Compton, CA | 21.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | 27.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 28.1 mi | $6,813 - $18,698 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California education page.
Education Wages Near Santa Ana
Santa Ana 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.
Santa Ana at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,354 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.0% | 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 Santa Ana-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Tustin, CA – 4.1 mi away (80,395 pop)
- Fountain Valley, CA – 4.4 mi away (56,529 pop)
- Costa Mesa, CA – 5.2 mi away (112,822 pop)
- Garden Grove, CA – 5.4 mi away (174,858 pop)
- Orange, CA – 5.8 mi away (140,504 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Santa Ana, CA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Santa Ana. The closest is Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA (9.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State University-Los Angeles (28.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Santa Ana?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Santa Ana 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 Tustin instead of Santa Ana?
Tustin, CA is 4.1 miles from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana an affordable place to study education?
Santa Ana’s median household income of $88,354 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Ana 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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