Best Online Education Programs in Sonora, CA (2026)
Sonora, California has a population of about 4,965. The city’s median household income is $62,621 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 32 accredited schools offering education programs near Sonora, with tuition ranging from $7,602 to $22,714 per year for indexed programs. In California, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $151,890 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Sonora
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 32 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Sonora. Distances are calculated from Sonora city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia College | Sonora, CA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 40.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 41.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Teachers College of San Joaquin | Stockton, CA | 46.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 50.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses | Stockton, CA | 50.9 mi | $14,760 - $20,286 | – |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 50.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 69.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | 69.1 mi | $7,602 - $22,714 | – |
| American River College | Sacramento, CA | 69.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California education page.
Education Wages Near Sonora
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (California, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $98,710 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,190 |
| Middle School Teacher | $96,820 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $85,560 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $151,890 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $123,840 |
| Tutor | $42,840 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $94,320 |
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.
Sonora at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,965 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,621 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Education-related employment in Tuolumne County | 182 workers, 16 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sonora-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Oakdale, CA – 29.5 mi away (22,564 pop)
- Riverbank, CA – 35.2 mi away (24,389 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 41.4 mi away (377,755 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 41.4 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 42.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Sonora, CA?
Our directory has 32 accredited schools offering education programs near Sonora. The closest is Columbia College in Sonora, CA (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is American River College (69.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles in California?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying education-related roles in California are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($151,890), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($123,840), Secondary School Teacher ($98,710). Wages for Sonora workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Oakdale instead of Sonora?
Oakdale, CA is 29.5 miles from Sonora 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 Sonora an affordable place to study education?
Sonora’s median household income of $62,621 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sonora 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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