Best Online Education Programs in Puyallup, WA (2026)
Puyallup, Washington has a population of about 42,642. The city’s median household income is $95,639 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering education programs near Puyallup. 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 Puyallup
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 39 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Puyallup. Distances are calculated from Puyallup city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 8.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 10.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Faith International University | Tacoma, WA | 12.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington education page.
Education Wages Near Puyallup
Puyallup 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.
Puyallup at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,642 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,639 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.3% | 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 Puyallup-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Bonney Lake, WA – 5.6 mi away (20,310 pop)
- Tacoma, WA – 8.8 mi away (211,277 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 9.2 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Auburn, WA – 9.4 mi away (77,472 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 11.3 mi away (60,665 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Puyallup, WA?
Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering education programs near Puyallup. The closest is Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA (7.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Highline College (14.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Puyallup?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Puyallup 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 Bonney Lake instead of Puyallup?
Bonney Lake, WA is 5.6 miles from Puyallup 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 Puyallup an affordable place to study education?
Puyallup’s median household income of $95,639 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Puyallup 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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