Best Online Education Programs in Scranton, PA (2026)
Scranton, Pennsylvania has a population of about 76,074. The city’s median household income is $49,531 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Scranton, with tuition ranging from $50,320 to $63,990 per year. In the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $100,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Scranton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Scranton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon Valley College | Annville, PA | 86.4 mi | $50,320 - $63,990 | – |
| Rider University | Lawrenceville, NJ | 90.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ | 91.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arcadia University | Glenside, PA | 94.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Immaculata University | Immaculata, PA | 95.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania education page.
Education Wages Near Scranton
Scranton is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area (BLS area code 42540). 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 | $76,480 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $81,709 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $73,240 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $78,248 |
| Middle School Teacher | $72,720 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $77,692 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $64,460 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $68,868 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $100,180 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $107,030 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $95,660 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $102,201 |
| Tutor | $38,440 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $41,068 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $56,030 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,861 |
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.
Scranton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,074 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,531 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Lackawanna County | 3,910 workers, 69 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Scranton-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Wilkes-Barre, PA – 15.4 mi away (40,569 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 25.2 mi away (23,308 pop)
- Hazleton, PA – 35.2 mi away (55,301 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 37.6 mi away (56,230 pop)
- Bloomsburg, PA – 49.6 mi away (52,637 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Scranton, PA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Scranton. The closest is Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA (86.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Immaculata University (95.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Scranton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Scranton are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($100,180), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($95,660), Secondary School Teacher ($76,480). 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 Wilkes-Barre instead of Scranton?
Wilkes-Barre, PA is 15.4 miles from Scranton 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 Scranton an affordable place to study education?
Scranton’s median household income of $49,531 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Scranton 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
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