Best Online Education Programs in Asheville, NC (2026)
Asheville, North Carolina has a population of about 94,369. The city’s median household income is $67,221 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Asheville. In the Asheville, NC metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $90,660 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Asheville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Asheville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City, TN | 64.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clemson University | Clemson, SC | 69.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | 81.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emory & Henry University | Emory, VA | 92.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emmanuel University | Franklin Springs, GA | 95.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina education page.
Education Wages Near Asheville
Asheville is part of the Asheville, NC metro area (BLS area code 11700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $57,090 | Asheville, NC | $59,161 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,820 | Asheville, NC | $49,554 |
| Middle School Teacher | $50,340 | Asheville, NC | $52,166 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $61,360 | Asheville, NC | $63,585 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $79,620 | Asheville, NC | $82,508 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $90,660 | Asheville, NC | $93,948 |
| Tutor | $46,260 | Asheville, NC | $47,938 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $53,820 | Asheville, NC | $55,772 |
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.
Asheville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,221 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Buncombe County | 3,449 workers, 264 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Asheville-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Forest City, NC – 41.8 mi away (25,817 pop)
- Greeneville, TN – 43.9 mi away (23,953 pop)
- Greer, SC – 47.5 mi away (29,000 pop)
- Greenville, SC – 51.8 mi away (462,640 pop)
- Easley, SC – 51.9 mi away (20,953 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Asheville, NC?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Asheville. The closest is Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, TN (64.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emmanuel University (95.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Asheville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Asheville are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($90,660), Education Administrator, K-12 ($79,620), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($61,360). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Forest City instead of Asheville?
Forest City, NC is 41.8 miles from Asheville 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 Asheville an affordable place to study education?
Asheville’s median household income of $67,221 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Asheville while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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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