Best Online Education Programs in Portland, ME (2026)
Portland, Maine has a population of about 68,505. The city’s median household income is $76,174 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Portland. In the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $108,290 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Portland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Portland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | 73.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merrimack College | North Andover, MA | 81.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maine schools on the Maine education page.
Education Wages Near Portland
Portland is part of the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area (BLS area code 38860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maine statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $67,240 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $65,986 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $75,460 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $74,053 |
| Middle School Teacher | $65,430 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $64,210 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $78,890 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $77,419 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $108,290 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $106,271 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $84,850 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $83,268 |
| Tutor | $56,720 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $55,662 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $61,940 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $60,785 |
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.
Portland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,174 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Cumberland County | 4,866 workers, 292 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portland-Area Cities With Education Programs
- South Portland, ME – 3.3 mi away (25,577 pop)
- Biddeford, ME – 17.1 mi away (21,362 pop)
- Auburn, ME – 28.2 mi away (22,948 pop)
- Lewiston, ME – 29.1 mi away (58,664 pop)
- Sanford, ME – 30.0 mi away (29,139 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Portland, ME?
Our directory lists 3 education programs within 100 miles of Portland. The closest is University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Merrimack College (81.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Portland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Portland are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($108,290), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($84,850), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($78,890). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maine statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in South Portland instead of Portland?
South Portland, ME is 3.3 miles from Portland 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 Portland an affordable place to study education?
Portland’s median household income of $76,174 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maine 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.