Best Online Education Programs in Jefferson City, MO (2026)
Jefferson City, Missouri has a population of about 42,565. The city’s median household income is $67,205 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering education programs near Jefferson City, with tuition ranging from $28,200 to $49,646 per year for indexed programs. In the Jefferson City, MO metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $96,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Jefferson City
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 23 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Jefferson City. Distances are calculated from Jefferson City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City, MO | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westminster College | Fulton, MO | 22.8 mi | $34,188 - $49,646 | – |
| William Woods University | Fulton, MO | 23.6 mi | $28,860 - $44,907 | – |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia, MO | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stephens College | Columbia, MO | 27.7 mi | $28,200 - $42,694 | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, MO | 28.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette, MO | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette, MO | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Christian College of the Bible | Moberly, MO | 58.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri education page.
Education Wages Near Jefferson City
Jefferson City is part of the Jefferson City, MO metro area (BLS area code 27620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $55,580 | Jefferson City, MO | $63,159 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $46,150 | Jefferson City, MO | $52,443 |
| Middle School Teacher | $45,810 | Jefferson City, MO | $52,057 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $63,470 | MO statewide | $72,125 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $88,780 | Jefferson City, MO | $100,886 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $96,780 | Jefferson City, MO | $109,977 |
| Tutor | $25,580 | Jefferson City, MO | $29,068 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $49,220 | Jefferson City, MO | $55,932 |
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.
Jefferson City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,565 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,205 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Cole County | 210 workers, 28 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Jefferson City-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Columbia, MO – 27.5 mi away (138,675 pop)
- Rolla, MO – 48.5 mi away (20,692 pop)
- Sedalia, MO – 57.9 mi away (26,302 pop)
- Wentzville, MO – 72.6 mi away (37,395 pop)
- O’Fallon, MO – 80.1 mi away (86,274 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Jefferson City, MO?
Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering education programs near Jefferson City. The closest is Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Christian College of the Bible (58.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Jefferson City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Jefferson City are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($96,780), Education Administrator, K-12 ($88,780), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($63,470). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Columbia instead of Jefferson City?
Columbia, MO is 27.5 miles from Jefferson 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 Jefferson City an affordable place to study education?
Jefferson City’s median household income of $67,205 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jefferson City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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.