Best Online Education Programs in Portland, OR (2026)
Portland, Oregon has a population of about 642,715. The city’s median household income is $88,792 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited education program within 100 miles of Portland, with tuition ranging from $11,025 to $30,735 per year. In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $137,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Portland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Portland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Oregon University | Monmouth, OR | 55.4 mi | $11,025 - $30,735 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon education page.
Education Wages Near Portland
Portland is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area (BLS area code 38900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Oregon statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $86,770 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $82,324 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $80,270 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $76,157 |
| Middle School Teacher | $84,250 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $79,934 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $69,640 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $66,072 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $137,780 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $130,721 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $109,480 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $103,871 |
| Tutor | $48,450 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,968 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $80,490 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $76,366 |
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.
Portland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,792 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Multnomah County | 10,767 workers, 796 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portland-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Milwaukie, OR – 6.5 mi away (20,929 pop)
- Vancouver, WA – 7.2 mi away (174,826 pop)
- Lake Oswego, OR – 8.9 mi away (38,945 pop)
- Beaverton, OR – 9.1 mi away (97,590 pop)
- Tigard, OR – 10.1 mi away (51,902 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Portland, OR?
Our directory lists 1 education programs within 100 miles of Portland. The closest is Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR (55.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Oregon University (55.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Portland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Portland are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($137,780), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($109,480), Secondary School Teacher ($86,770). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Oregon statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Milwaukie instead of Portland?
Milwaukie, OR is 6.5 miles from Portland 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 Portland an affordable place to study education?
Portland’s median household income of $88,792 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Oregon 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.