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. Our directory has 48 accredited schools offering education programs near Portland, with tuition ranging from $7,200 to $22,016 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 48 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Portland. 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 | – |
| Maine College of Art & Design | Portland, ME | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Standish, ME | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of New England | Biddeford, ME | 16.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 22.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York County Community College | Wells, ME | 30.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn, ME | 31.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Great Bay Community College | Portsmouth, NH | 49.5 mi | $7,200 - $22,016 | – |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham, NH | 50.0 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 schools are near Portland, ME?
Our directory has 48 accredited schools offering education programs near Portland. The closest is University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus (50.0 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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.
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.