Northampton, Massachusetts has a population of about 28,640. The city’s median household income is $78,467 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 61.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Northampton, with tuition ranging from $11,882 to $26,435 per year. In the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,670 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Northampton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield State University | Westfield, MA | 14.7 mi | $11,882 - $26,435 | – |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 44.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | 48.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rhode Island College | Providence, RI | 70.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 72.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts education page.
Northampton is part of the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area (BLS area code 11200). 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 | $79,130 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $78,972 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,240 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $77,086 |
| Middle School Teacher | $79,240 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $79,082 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $85,280 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $85,110 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $104,400 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $104,192 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,670 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $105,459 |
| Tutor | $58,140 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $58,024 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $66,830 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $66,697 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,640 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,467 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 61.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Hampshire County | 7,246 workers, 143 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Northampton. The closest is Westfield State University in Westfield, MA (14.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnson & Wales University-Providence (72.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Northampton are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,670), Education Administrator, K-12 ($104,400), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($85,280). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Holyoke, MA is 8.1 miles from Northampton 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.
Northampton’s median household income of $78,467 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Northampton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Education Programs in Massachusetts (2026)