Best Online Education Programs in Reading, PA (2026)
Reading, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,836. The city’s median household income is $45,599 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 145 accredited schools offering education programs near Reading, with tuition ranging from $5,215 to $40,813 per year for indexed programs. In the Reading, PA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $109,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Reading
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 145 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Reading. Distances are calculated from Reading city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Area Community College | Reading, PA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Albright College | Reading, PA | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alvernia University | Reading, PA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Reading, PA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, PA | 14.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Valley Forge | Phoenixville, PA | 25.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster, PA | 26.4 mi | $29,990 - $40,813 | – |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville, PA | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown, PA | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville, PA | 27.9 mi | $5,215 - $15,075 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania education page.
Education Wages Near Reading
Reading is part of the Reading, PA metro area (BLS area code 39740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $78,780 | Reading, PA | $81,133 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,970 | Reading, PA | $80,299 |
| Middle School Teacher | $78,720 | Reading, PA | $81,071 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,400 | Reading, PA | $82,801 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $104,040 | Reading, PA | $107,147 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $109,950 | Reading, PA | $113,234 |
| Tutor | $50,620 | Reading, PA | $52,132 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $61,400 | Reading, PA | $63,234 |
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.
Reading at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,836 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,599 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Berks County | 2,218 workers, 101 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Reading-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Pottstown, PA – 16.1 mi away (109,052 pop)
- Lebanon, PA – 26.1 mi away (77,839 pop)
- Pottsville, PA – 27.8 mi away (41,479 pop)
- Lancaster, PA – 28.5 mi away (401,205 pop)
- Allentown, PA – 29.6 mi away (678,169 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Reading, PA?
Our directory has 145 accredited schools offering education programs near Reading. The closest is Reading Area Community College in Reading, PA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lehigh Carbon Community College (27.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Reading?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Reading are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($109,950), Education Administrator, K-12 ($104,040), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($80,400). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Pottstown instead of Reading?
Pottstown, PA is 16.1 miles from Reading 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 Reading an affordable place to study education?
Reading’s median household income of $45,599 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Reading while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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.
Back to Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)
Return to Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)