Best Online Education Programs in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
Santa Cruz, California has a population of about 60,953. The city’s median household income is $111,427 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited education program within 100 miles of Santa Cruz. In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $152,010 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Santa Cruz
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Cruz city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | 56.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California education page.
Education Wages Near Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is part of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area (BLS area code 42100). 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 | $82,170 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $74,768 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $80,630 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $73,367 |
| Middle School Teacher | $77,060 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $70,118 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $85,560 | CA statewide | $77,853 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $152,010 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $138,317 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $136,820 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $124,495 |
| Tutor | $35,020 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $31,865 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $83,300 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $75,796 |
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 Cruz at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,953 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $111,427 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Santa Cruz County | 1,931 workers, 174 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Santa Cruz-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Watsonville, CA – 15.1 mi away (77,266 pop)
- Los Gatos, CA – 17.9 mi away (30,545 pop)
- Saratoga, CA – 20.0 mi away (30,767 pop)
- Campbell, CA – 21.3 mi away (40,939 pop)
- Cupertino, CA – 23.4 mi away (60,643 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Santa Cruz, CA?
Our directory lists 1 education programs within 100 miles of Santa Cruz. The closest is San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA (56.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Francisco State University (56.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Santa Cruz?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Santa Cruz are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($152,010), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($136,820), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($85,560). 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 Watsonville instead of Santa Cruz?
Watsonville, CA is 15.1 miles from Santa Cruz 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 Cruz an affordable place to study education?
Santa Cruz’s median household income of $111,427 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Cruz 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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