Best Online Education Programs in Traverse City, MI (2026)
Traverse City, Michigan has a population of about 15,491. The city’s median household income is $71,731 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited education program within 100 miles of Traverse City. In the Traverse City, MI metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $109,980 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Traverse City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Traverse City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI | 74.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan education page.
Education Wages Near Traverse City
Traverse City is part of the Traverse City, MI metro area (BLS area code 45900). 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 | $62,160 | Traverse City, MI | $66,552 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,820 | Traverse City, MI | $68,330 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,910 | Traverse City, MI | $69,497 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $65,340 | MI statewide | $69,957 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $109,980 | Traverse City, MI | $117,752 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $104,920 | MI statewide | $112,334 |
| Tutor | $40,210 | Traverse City, MI | $43,051 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,430 | Traverse City, MI | $67,912 |
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.
Traverse City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,491 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,731 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Grand Traverse County | 1,273 workers, 41 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Traverse City-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Mount Pleasant, MI – 89.9 mi away (37,877 pop)
- Escanaba, MI – 99.7 mi away (20,370 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Traverse City, MI?
Our directory lists 1 education programs within 100 miles of Traverse City. The closest is Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI (74.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ferris State University (74.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Traverse City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Traverse City are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($109,980), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($104,920), 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 Mount Pleasant instead of Traverse City?
Mount Pleasant, MI is 89.9 miles from Traverse 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 Traverse City an affordable place to study education?
Traverse City’s median household income of $71,731 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Traverse 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.