Best Online Education Programs in Hickory, NC (2026)
Hickory, North Carolina has a population of about 43,747. The city’s median household income is $63,361 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 68 accredited schools offering education programs near Hickory, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $18,703 per year for indexed programs. In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $80,880 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Hickory
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 68 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Hickory. Distances are calculated from Hickory city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory, NC | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 3.6 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC | 11.9 mi | $2,537 - $15,625 | – |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | 20.5 mi | $2,650 - $15,451 | – |
| Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | 24.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro, NC | 28.3 mi | $2,572 - $10,494 | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 30.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Davidson College | Davidson, NC | 31.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 33.4 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | 36.4 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 Hickory
Hickory is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area (BLS area code 25860). 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 | $51,270 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $57,932 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,620 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $54,938 |
| Middle School Teacher | $50,830 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $57,435 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $61,890 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $69,932 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $80,280 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $90,712 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $80,880 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $91,390 |
| Tutor | $35,640 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $40,271 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $55,410 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $62,610 |
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.
Hickory at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,747 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,361 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Catawba County | 616 workers, 36 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hickory-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 19.1 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Statesville, NC – 25.5 mi away (26,506 pop)
- Mooresville, NC – 30.0 mi away (36,543 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 30.9 mi away (28,515 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 33.7 mi away (27,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Hickory, NC?
Our directory has 68 accredited schools offering education programs near Hickory. The closest is Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is McDowell Technical Community College (36.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Hickory?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Hickory are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($80,880), Education Administrator, K-12 ($80,280), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($61,890). 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 Lincolnton instead of Hickory?
Lincolnton, NC is 19.1 miles from Hickory 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 Hickory an affordable place to study education?
Hickory’s median household income of $63,361 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hickory 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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