Best Online Education Programs in Rochester, NH (2026)
Rochester, New Hampshire has a population of about 32,866. The city’s median household income is $79,388 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Rochester. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $129,330 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | 29.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | 43.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merrimack College | North Andover, MA | 44.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | 64.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Hampshire schools on the New Hampshire education page.
Education Wages Near Rochester
Rochester is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Hampshire statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $95,220 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $87,922 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $86,600 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $79,963 |
| Middle School Teacher | $87,810 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $81,080 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $77,440 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $71,505 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $129,330 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $119,418 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $128,110 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $118,292 |
| Tutor | $60,520 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $55,882 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $78,850 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,807 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,866 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,388 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Strafford County | 496 workers, 57 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Dover, NH – 9.0 mi away (91,514 pop)
- Sanford, ME – 14.1 mi away (29,139 pop)
- Portsmouth, NH – 19.4 mi away (91,193 pop)
- Biddeford, ME – 28.9 mi away (21,362 pop)
- Concord, NH – 29.6 mi away (42,821 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Rochester, NH?
Our directory lists 4 education programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH (29.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fitchburg State University (64.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Rochester are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($129,330), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($128,110), Secondary School Teacher ($95,220). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Hampshire statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Dover instead of Rochester?
Dover, NH is 9.0 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study education?
Rochester’s median household income of $79,388 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Hampshire 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
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