Best Online Education Programs in Salem, VA (2026)
Salem, Virginia has a population of about 25,477. The city’s median household income is $66,716 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering education programs near Salem, with tuition ranging from $9,700 to $54,059 per year for indexed programs. In the Roanoke, VA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $101,930 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Salem
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 39 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Salem. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College | Salem, VA | 0.6 mi | $36,774 - $54,059 | – |
| Hollins University | Roanoke, VA | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | 20.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ferrum College | Ferrum, VA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Radford University | Radford, VA | 29.1 mi | $12,286 - $26,681 | – |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville, VA | 39.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | 48.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg, VA | 48.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg, VA | 49.6 mi | $29,010 - $43,838 | – |
| Concord University | Athens, WV | 53.1 mi | $9,700 - $20,600 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia education page.
Education Wages Near Salem
Salem is part of the Roanoke, VA metro area (BLS area code 40220). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $63,080 | Roanoke, VA | $67,393 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,270 | Roanoke, VA | $66,528 |
| Middle School Teacher | $61,030 | Roanoke, VA | $65,203 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $67,060 | Roanoke, VA | $71,645 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $98,410 | Roanoke, VA | $105,139 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $101,930 | Roanoke, VA | $108,900 |
| Tutor | $44,000 | Roanoke, VA | $47,009 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $62,230 | Roanoke, VA | $66,485 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,477 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,716 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Salem (city) County | 643 workers, 12 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Roanoke, VA – 5.4 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Blacksburg, VA – 20.8 mi away (93,560 pop)
- Christiansburg, VA – 21.6 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 43.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 48.1 mi away (123,795 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Salem, VA?
Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering education programs near Salem. The closest is Roanoke College in Salem, VA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concord University (53.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Salem are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($101,930), Education Administrator, K-12 ($98,410), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($67,060). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Roanoke instead of Salem?
Roanoke, VA is 5.4 miles from Salem 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 Salem an affordable place to study education?
Salem’s median household income of $66,716 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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.