Best Online Education Programs in Olympia, WA (2026)
Olympia, Washington has a population of about 55,583. The city’s median household income is $76,930 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 36 accredited schools offering education programs near Olympia. In the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $161,340 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Olympia
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 36 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Olympia. Distances are calculated from Olympia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Martin’s University | Lacey, WA | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Evergreen State College | Olympia, WA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 20.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 22.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | 22.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Centralia College | Centralia, WA | 22.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Faith International University | Tacoma, WA | 24.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington education page.
Education Wages Near Olympia
Olympia is part of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area (BLS area code 36500). 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 | $106,970 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $103,153 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,170 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $97,560 |
| Middle School Teacher | $81,860 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $78,939 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $50,290 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,496 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $161,340 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $155,583 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $110,310 | WA statewide | $106,374 |
| Tutor | $44,450 | WA statewide | $42,864 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $86,530 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $83,443 |
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.
Olympia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,930 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Thurston County | 2,512 workers, 142 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Olympia-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Tumwater, WA – 3.6 mi away (22,538 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 4.8 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 19.1 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 20.3 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Centralia, WA – 22.3 mi away (41,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Olympia, WA?
Our directory has 36 accredited schools offering education programs near Olympia. The closest is South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, WA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Puget Sound (24.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Olympia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Olympia are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($161,340), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($110,310), Secondary School Teacher ($106,970). 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 Tumwater instead of Olympia?
Tumwater, WA is 3.6 miles from Olympia 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 Olympia an affordable place to study education?
Olympia’s median household income of $76,930 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Olympia 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
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.
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