Best Online Education Programs in Albany, NY (2026)
Albany, New York has a population of about 100,081. The city’s median household income is $59,485 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Albany, with tuition ranging from $11,882 to $26,435 per year. In the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $131,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Albany
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Albany city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire State University | Saratoga Springs, NY | 28.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westfield State University | Westfield, MA | 63.1 mi | $11,882 - $26,435 | – |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 85.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York education page.
Education Wages Near Albany
Albany is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area (BLS area code 10580). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New York statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $78,790 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $79,106 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,890 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $78,203 |
| Middle School Teacher | $77,760 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $78,072 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $77,300 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $77,610 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $122,930 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $123,424 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $131,730 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $132,259 |
| Tutor | $38,060 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $38,213 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $62,090 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $62,339 |
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.
Albany at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,485 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 99.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Albany County | 8,596 workers, 190 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Albany-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Troy, NY – 7.9 mi away (49,702 pop)
- Schenectady, NY – 11.5 mi away (64,913 pop)
- Amsterdam, NY – 27.5 mi away (21,351 pop)
- Saratoga Springs, NY – 27.7 mi away (66,945 pop)
- Pittsfield, MA – 31.1 mi away (56,628 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Albany, NY?
Our directory lists 3 education programs within 100 miles of Albany. The closest is Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY (28.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Connecticut State University (85.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Albany?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Albany are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($131,730), Education Administrator, K-12 ($122,930), Secondary School Teacher ($78,790). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New York statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Troy instead of Albany?
Troy, NY is 7.9 miles from Albany 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 Albany an affordable place to study education?
Albany’s median household income of $59,485 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Albany while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New York 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.