Best Online Education Programs in Memphis, TN (2026)
Memphis, Tennessee has a population of about 629,063. The city’s median household income is $51,211 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Memphis, with tuition ranging from $13,840 to $18,448 per year. In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $103,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Memphis
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Memphis city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rust College | Holly Springs, MS | 37.6 mi | $13,840 - $18,448 | – |
| Union University | Jackson, TN | 74.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee education page.
Education Wages Near Memphis
Memphis is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area (BLS area code 32820). 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 | $61,630 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,844 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,750 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,636 |
| Middle School Teacher | $59,250 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,262 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $67,370 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $73,069 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $103,680 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $112,451 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $101,110 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $109,664 |
| Tutor | $38,570 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $41,833 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $67,310 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $73,004 |
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.
Memphis at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,211 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Shelby County | 10,157 workers, 408 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Memphis-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Southaven, MS – 10.6 mi away (53,214 pop)
- Germantown, TN – 11.1 mi away (39,056 pop)
- Horn Lake, MS – 11.4 mi away (27,042 pop)
- Olive Branch, MS – 12.4 mi away (36,699 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 12.6 mi away (58,622 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Memphis, TN?
Our directory lists 2 education programs within 100 miles of Memphis. The closest is Rust College in Holly Springs, MS (37.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Union University (74.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Memphis?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Memphis are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($103,680), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($101,110), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($67,370). 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 Southaven instead of Memphis?
Southaven, MS is 10.6 miles from Memphis 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 Memphis an affordable place to study education?
Memphis’s median household income of $51,211 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Memphis 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
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