Best Online Education Programs in Boston, MA (2026)
Boston, Massachusetts has a population of about 663,972. The city’s median household income is $94,755 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Boston, with tuition ranging from $15,208 to $31,750 per year. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $129,330 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Boston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Boston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack College | North Andover, MA | 24.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rhode Island College | Providence, RI | 38.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 38.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | 40.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | 47.3 mi | $15,208 - $31,750 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts education page.
Education Wages Near Boston
Boston is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $95,220 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $87,922 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $86,600 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $79,963 |
| Middle School Teacher | $87,810 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $81,080 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $77,440 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $71,505 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $129,330 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $119,418 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $128,110 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $118,292 |
| Tutor | $60,520 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $55,882 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $78,850 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,807 |
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.
Boston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,755 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Suffolk County | 44,579 workers, 570 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Boston-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Cambridge, MA – 4.3 mi away (110,651 pop)
- Somerville, MA – 5.0 mi away (81,322 pop)
- Quincy, MA – 5.7 mi away (93,688 pop)
- Chelsea, MA – 5.9 mi away (39,699 pop)
- Watertown, MA – 5.9 mi away (35,025 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Boston, MA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Boston. The closest is Merrimack College in North Andover, MA (24.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (47.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Boston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Boston are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($129,330), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($128,110), Secondary School Teacher ($95,220). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cambridge instead of Boston?
Cambridge, MA is 4.3 miles from Boston 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 Boston an affordable place to study education?
Boston’s median household income of $94,755 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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.
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