Best Online Education Programs in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
Grand Rapids, Michigan has a population of about 197,768. The city’s median household income is $65,526 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 38 accredited schools offering education programs near Grand Rapids. In the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $101,070 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Grand Rapids
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 38 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Grand Rapids. Distances are calculated from Grand Rapids city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids, MI | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Aquinas College | Grand Rapids, MI | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids, MI | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grace Christian University | Wyoming, MI | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kuyper College | Grand Rapids, MI | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | 11.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hope College | Holland, MI | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon, MI | 33.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan education page.
Education Wages Near Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area (BLS area code 24340). 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 | $61,810 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $64,723 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,150 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $62,984 |
| Middle School Teacher | $60,110 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $62,942 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $58,600 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $61,361 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $101,070 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $105,832 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $85,050 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $89,058 |
| Tutor | $38,680 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $40,503 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $52,570 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $55,047 |
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.
Grand Rapids at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,526 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Kent County | 10,460 workers, 262 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Grand Rapids-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Walker, MI – 4.8 mi away (24,775 pop)
- Wyoming, MI – 5.5 mi away (75,567 pop)
- Kentwood, MI – 6.2 mi away (51,689 pop)
- Holland, MI – 26.1 mi away (101,421 pop)
- Norton Shores, MI – 33.1 mi away (24,340 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Grand Rapids, MI?
Our directory has 38 accredited schools offering education programs near Grand Rapids. The closest is Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Muskegon Community College (33.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Grand Rapids?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Grand Rapids are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($101,070), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($85,050), Secondary School Teacher ($61,810). 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 Walker instead of Grand Rapids?
Walker, MI is 4.8 miles from Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids an affordable place to study education?
Grand Rapids’s median household income of $65,526 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Rapids 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.
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.