Best Online Education Programs in Gardner, KS (2026)
Gardner, Kansas has a population of about 24,020. The city’s median household income is $92,579 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Gardner. In the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,600 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Gardner
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Gardner city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avila University | Kansas City, MO | 19.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO | 24.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | 73.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS | 99.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas education page.
Education Wages Near Gardner
Gardner is part of the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 28140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $60,230 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $65,114 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,140 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $63,935 |
| Middle School Teacher | $61,470 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $66,454 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $59,580 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,411 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $101,430 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $109,654 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,600 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $114,162 |
| Tutor | $42,070 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,481 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $60,050 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,919 |
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.
Gardner at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,020 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $92,579 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Johnson County | 3,918 workers, 436 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gardner-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Olathe, KS – 7.6 mi away (135,473 pop)
- Lenexa, KS – 12.1 mi away (52,903 pop)
- Overland Park, KS – 13.9 mi away (188,966 pop)
- Shawnee, KS – 15.3 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Leawood, KS – 17.5 mi away (34,565 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Gardner, KS?
Our directory lists 4 education programs within 100 miles of Gardner. The closest is Avila University in Kansas City, MO (19.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pittsburg State University (99.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Gardner?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Gardner are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,600), Education Administrator, K-12 ($101,430), Middle School Teacher ($61,470). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Olathe instead of Gardner?
Olathe, KS is 7.6 miles from Gardner 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 Gardner an affordable place to study education?
Gardner’s median household income of $92,579 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardner while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas 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.