Best Online Education Programs in Seattle, WA (2026)
Seattle, Washington has a population of about 741,440. The city’s median household income is $121,984 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 67.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 41 accredited schools offering education programs near Seattle. 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 Seattle
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 41 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Seattle. Distances are calculated from Seattle city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Central College | Seattle, WA | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle University | Seattle, WA | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Antioch University-Seattle | Seattle, WA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, WA | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education | Kirkland, WA | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest University | Kirkland, WA | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington education page.
Education Wages Near Seattle
Seattle 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.
Seattle at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $121,984 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 67.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in King County | 25,165 workers, 1,797 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Seattle-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Mercer Island, WA – 6.1 mi away (25,134 pop)
- Kirkland, WA – 7.9 mi away (87,701 pop)
- Bellevue, WA – 8.1 mi away (141,400 pop)
- Shoreline, WA – 9.3 mi away (55,333 pop)
- Kenmore, WA – 9.8 mi away (22,357 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Seattle, WA?
Our directory has 41 accredited schools offering education programs near Seattle. The closest is Seattle Central College in Seattle, WA (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest University (6.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Seattle?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Seattle 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 Mercer Island instead of Seattle?
Mercer Island, WA is 6.1 miles from Seattle 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 Seattle an affordable place to study education?
Seattle’s median household income of $121,984 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Seattle 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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