Best Online Education Programs in Cary, NC (2026)
Cary, North Carolina has a population of about 176,686. The city’s median household income is $129,399 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 70.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Cary. In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Cary
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Cary city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | 57.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| High Point University | High Point, NC | 68.7 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 Cary
Cary is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area (BLS area code 39580). 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 | $57,880 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,941 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,010 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $59,073 |
| Middle School Teacher | $56,390 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $57,424 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $49,980 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,896 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $94,110 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $95,835 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,950 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $107,892 |
| Tutor | $37,040 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $37,719 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $62,460 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $63,605 |
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.
Cary at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $129,399 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 70.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Wake County | 11,890 workers, 942 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cary-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Morrisville, NC – 3.9 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Apex, NC – 4.8 mi away (47,349 pop)
- Holly Springs, NC – 8.9 mi away (33,260 pop)
- Raleigh, NC – 10.3 mi away (1,005,457 pop)
- Garner, NC – 12.5 mi away (28,776 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Cary, NC?
Our directory lists 3 education programs within 100 miles of Cary. The closest is North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC (8.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is High Point University (68.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Cary?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Cary are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,950), Education Administrator, K-12 ($94,110), Educational and Career Counselor ($62,460). 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 Morrisville instead of Cary?
Morrisville, NC is 3.9 miles from Cary 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 Cary an affordable place to study education?
Cary’s median household income of $129,399 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cary 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.
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