Best Online Education Programs in Paterson, NJ (2026)
Paterson, New Jersey has a population of about 157,660. The city’s median household income is $53,766 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Paterson. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $157,210 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Paterson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Paterson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY City College | New York, NY | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | 14.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | New York, NY | 16.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mercy University | Dobbs Ferry, NY | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Jersey schools on the New Jersey education page.
Education Wages Near Paterson
Paterson is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (BLS area code 35620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Jersey statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $99,260 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $88,153 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $95,240 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,583 |
| Middle School Teacher | $82,870 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $73,597 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $95,060 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,423 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $157,210 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $139,618 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $136,880 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $121,563 |
| Tutor | $42,770 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,984 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $77,970 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $69,245 |
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.
Paterson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Passaic County | 2,882 workers, 136 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paterson-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Elmwood Park, NJ – 2.3 mi away (20,295 pop)
- Fair Lawn, NJ – 2.8 mi away (33,453 pop)
- Clifton, NJ – 3.6 mi away (85,845 pop)
- Garfield, NJ – 3.7 mi away (31,876 pop)
- Passaic, NJ – 4.3 mi away (70,635 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Paterson, NJ?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Paterson. The closest is CUNY City College in New York, NY (12.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mercy University (16.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Paterson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Paterson are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($157,210), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($136,880), Secondary School Teacher ($99,260). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Jersey statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Elmwood Park instead of Paterson?
Elmwood Park, NJ is 2.3 miles from Paterson 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 Paterson an affordable place to study education?
Paterson’s median household income of $53,766 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Paterson while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Jersey 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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