Best Online Education Programs in Carbondale, IL (2026)
Carbondale, Illinois has a population of about 21,813. The city’s median household income is $29,670 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering education programs near Carbondale, with tuition ranging from $4,390 to $43,713 per year for indexed programs. In Illinois, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $108,560 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Carbondale
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 26 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Carbondale. Distances are calculated from Carbondale city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 33.0 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia, IL | 58.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Frontier Community College | Fairfield, IL | 64.2 mi | $4,390 - $16,961 | – |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL | 66.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McKendree University | Lebanon, IL | 69.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mineral Area College | Park Hills, MO | 69.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Greenville University | Greenville, IL | 81.6 mi | $30,598 - $43,713 | – |
| Jefferson College | Hillsboro, MO | 81.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near Carbondale
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Illinois, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $77,020 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,160 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,800 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $60,410 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $108,560 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $95,520 |
| Tutor | $35,350 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $61,210 |
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.
Carbondale at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,813 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $29,670 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Education-related employment in Jackson County | 145 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Carbondale-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Cape Girardeau, MO – 33.9 mi away (55,253 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 55.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 66.0 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Belleville, IL – 68.7 mi away (41,906 pop)
- O’Fallon, IL – 71.2 mi away (29,031 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Carbondale, IL?
Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering education programs near Carbondale. The closest is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in Carbondale, IL (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jefferson College (81.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles in Illinois?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying education-related roles in Illinois are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($108,560), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($95,520), Secondary School Teacher ($77,020). Wages for Carbondale workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Cape Girardeau instead of Carbondale?
Cape Girardeau, MO is 33.9 miles from Carbondale 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 Carbondale an affordable place to study education?
Carbondale’s median household income of $29,670 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Carbondale while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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.