Best Online Education Programs in Lakewood, WA (2026)
Lakewood, Washington has a population of about 63,034. The city’s median household income is $70,524 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Lakewood. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $170,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Lakewood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Lakewood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 35.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | 94.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington education page.
Education Wages Near Lakewood
Lakewood is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). 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 | $99,530 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $89,586 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,970 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $89,982 |
| Middle School Teacher | $99,710 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $89,748 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $78,740 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $70,873 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $170,150 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,150 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $110,310 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,289 |
| Tutor | $44,650 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $40,189 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $86,490 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $77,849 |
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.
Lakewood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 63,034 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,524 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Pierce County | 5,000 workers, 314 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lakewood-Area Cities With Education Programs
- University Place, WA – 3.7 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Tacoma, WA – 6.6 mi away (211,277 pop)
- Puyallup, WA – 11.3 mi away (40,640 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 13.6 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 14.8 mi away (47,688 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Lakewood, WA?
Our directory lists 2 education programs within 100 miles of Lakewood. The closest is University of Washington-Seattle Campus in Seattle, WA (35.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Washington University (94.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Lakewood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Lakewood are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($170,150), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($110,310), Elementary School Teacher ($99,970). 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 University Place instead of Lakewood?
University Place, WA is 3.7 miles from Lakewood 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 Lakewood an affordable place to study education?
Lakewood’s median household income of $70,524 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakewood 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
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