Best Online Education Programs in Oak Ridge, TN (2026)
Oak Ridge, Tennessee has a population of about 32,088. The city’s median household income is $71,000 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Oak Ridge. In the Knoxville, TN metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $97,420 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Oak Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Oak Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City, TN | 46.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY | 53.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lee University | Cleveland, TN | 63.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee education page.
Education Wages Near Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is part of the Knoxville, TN metro area (BLS area code 28940). 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 | $60,800 | Knoxville, TN | $65,659 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,370 | Knoxville, TN | $65,194 |
| Middle School Teacher | $61,060 | Knoxville, TN | $65,940 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $73,700 | Knoxville, TN | $79,590 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $97,420 | Knoxville, TN | $105,205 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $85,720 | Knoxville, TN | $92,570 |
| Tutor | $40,540 | Knoxville, TN | $43,780 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $53,140 | Knoxville, TN | $57,387 |
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.
Oak Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,088 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,000 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Anderson County | 39 workers, 9 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oak Ridge-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Farragut, TN – 8.9 mi away (22,282 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 15.1 mi away (23,026 pop)
- Knoxville, TN – 19.2 mi away (581,787 pop)
- Maryville, TN – 23.2 mi away (28,703 pop)
- Sevierville, TN – 41.0 mi away (24,882 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Oak Ridge, TN?
Our directory lists 4 education programs within 100 miles of Oak Ridge. The closest is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville in Knoxville, TN (20.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lee University (63.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Oak Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Oak Ridge are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($97,420), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($85,720), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($73,700). 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 Farragut instead of Oak Ridge?
Farragut, TN is 8.9 miles from Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge an affordable place to study education?
Oak Ridge’s median household income of $71,000 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oak Ridge 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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