Best Online Education Programs in Bellingham, WA (2026)
Bellingham, Washington has a population of about 92,367. The city’s median household income is $65,821 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. In the Bellingham, WA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $157,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Bellingham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Bellingham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 76.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington education page.
Education Wages Near Bellingham
Bellingham is part of the Bellingham, WA metro area (BLS area code 13380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $102,810 | Bellingham, WA | $99,526 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $93,560 | Bellingham, WA | $90,571 |
| Middle School Teacher | $83,600 | Bellingham, WA | $80,929 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $66,150 | WA statewide | $64,037 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $157,700 | Bellingham, WA | $152,662 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $110,310 | WA statewide | $106,786 |
| Tutor | $39,600 | Bellingham, WA | $38,335 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $72,480 | Bellingham, WA | $70,165 |
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.
Bellingham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,821 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Whatcom County | 1,252 workers, 141 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bellingham-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Mount Vernon, WA – 24.1 mi away (68,613 pop)
- Oak Harbor, WA – 32.5 mi away (34,689 pop)
- Marysville, WA – 48.6 mi away (163,547 pop)
- Lake Stevens, WA – 54.6 mi away (31,679 pop)
- Sequim, WA – 55.0 mi away (20,330 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Bellingham, WA?
Our directory lists 2 education programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. The closest is Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Washington-Seattle Campus (76.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Bellingham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Bellingham are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($157,700), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($110,310), Secondary School Teacher ($102,810). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Mount Vernon instead of Bellingham?
Mount Vernon, WA is 24.1 miles from Bellingham 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 Bellingham an affordable place to study education?
Bellingham’s median household income of $65,821 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bellingham while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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
Back to Best Online Education Programs in Washington (2026)
Return to Best Online Education Programs in Washington (2026)