Best Online Education Programs in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
Santa Monica, California has a population of about 91,535. The city’s median household income is $109,739 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 68.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Santa Monica, with tuition ranging from $6,813 to $20,317 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 Monica
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Monica city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Northridge | Northridge, CA | 15.6 mi | $7,095 - $20,317 | – |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 18.2 mi | $6,813 - $18,698 | – |
| Compton College | Compton, CA | 18.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA | 24.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California education page.
Education Wages Near Santa Monica
Santa Monica 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 Monica at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,739 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 68.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Los Angeles County | 123,686 workers, 4,718 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Santa Monica-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Culver City, CA – 5.0 mi away (39,364 pop)
- Beverly Hills, CA – 5.9 mi away (34,687 pop)
- Los Angeles, CA – 7.6 mi away (12,740,381 pop)
- West Hollywood, CA – 7.7 mi away (36,698 pop)
- Inglewood, CA – 9.1 mi away (110,654 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Santa Monica, CA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Santa Monica. The closest is El Camino Community College District in Torrance, CA (12.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Cerritos College (24.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Santa Monica?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Santa Monica 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 Culver City instead of Santa Monica?
Culver City, CA is 5.0 miles from Santa Monica 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 Monica an affordable place to study education?
Santa Monica’s median household income of $109,739 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Monica 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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