Best Online Education Programs in Bay City, MI (2026)
Bay City, Michigan has a population of about 32,445. The city’s median household income is $47,904 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Bay City. In Michigan, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $104,920 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Bay City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Bay City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta College | University Center, MI | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alma College | Alma, MI | 41.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI | 80.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI | 93.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan education page.
Education Wages Near Bay City
Bay City is part of the Bay City, MI metro area (BLS area code 13020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $59,370 | Bay City, MI | $64,603 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,840 | Bay City, MI | $70,555 |
| Middle School Teacher | $61,560 | MI statewide | $66,986 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $65,340 | MI statewide | $71,099 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $99,130 | Bay City, MI | $107,867 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $104,920 | MI statewide | $114,168 |
| Tutor | $35,870 | MI statewide | $39,032 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $65,120 | Bay City, MI | $70,860 |
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.
Bay City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,445 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,904 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Bay County | 172 workers, 22 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bay City-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Saginaw, MI – 12.2 mi away (120,088 pop)
- Midland, MI – 17.3 mi away (59,343 pop)
- Flint, MI – 40.4 mi away (338,616 pop)
- Burton, MI – 43.2 mi away (28,648 pop)
- Owosso, MI – 43.6 mi away (21,653 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Bay City, MI?
Our directory lists 4 education programs within 100 miles of Bay City. The closest is Delta College in University Center, MI (5.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Michigan University (93.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Bay City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Bay City are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($104,920), Education Administrator, K-12 ($99,130), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($65,340). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Saginaw instead of Bay City?
Saginaw, MI is 12.2 miles from Bay City 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 Bay City an affordable place to study education?
Bay City’s median household income of $47,904 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bay City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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.