Best Online Education Programs in Cleveland, TN (2026)
Cleveland, Tennessee has a population of about 48,185. The city’s median household income is $55,904 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering education programs near Cleveland, with tuition ranging from $2,363 to $37,875 per year for indexed programs. In Tennessee, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $104,230 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Cleveland
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 40 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Cleveland. Distances are calculated from Cleveland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee University | Cleveland, TN | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 13.8 mi | $25,590 - $37,875 | – |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 23.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, TN | 24.1 mi | $29,264 - $36,828 | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | 26.0 mi | $10,144 - $23,563 | – |
| Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | 29.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 32.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | 50.3 mi | $4,762 - $18,622 | – |
| Tri-County Community College | Murphy, NC | 51.7 mi | $2,363 - $14,581 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee education page.
Education Wages Near Cleveland
Cleveland is part of the Cleveland, TN metro area (BLS area code 17420). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $61,030 | Cleveland, TN | $69,274 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,750 | Cleveland, TN | $66,686 |
| Middle School Teacher | $58,170 | TN statewide | $66,027 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $64,480 | TN statewide | $73,190 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $93,860 | Cleveland, TN | $106,538 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $104,230 | TN statewide | $118,309 |
| Tutor | $40,680 | TN statewide | $46,175 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $54,920 | Cleveland, TN | $62,338 |
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.
Cleveland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,185 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,904 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Bradley County | 1,074 workers, 23 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cleveland-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Chattanooga, TN – 22.8 mi away (403,618 pop)
- East Ridge, TN – 23.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 29.1 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 47.8 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 54.6 mi away (23,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Cleveland, TN?
Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering education programs near Cleveland. The closest is Lee University in Cleveland, TN (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tri-County Community College (51.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Cleveland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Cleveland are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($104,230), Education Administrator, K-12 ($93,860), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($64,480). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Chattanooga instead of Cleveland?
Chattanooga, TN is 22.8 miles from Cleveland 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 Cleveland an affordable place to study education?
Cleveland’s median household income of $55,904 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cleveland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee 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 Tennessee (2026)
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