Best Online Education Programs in Madison, WI (2026)
Madison, Wisconsin has a population of about 275,568. The city’s median household income is $76,983 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Madison. In the Madison, WI metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $133,280 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | 36.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 60.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marian University | Fond Du Lac, WI | 68.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon, WI | 75.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lakeland University | Plymouth, WI | 83.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin education page.
Education Wages Near Madison
Madison is part of the Madison, WI metro area (BLS area code 31540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $61,710 | Madison, WI | $63,422 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,030 | Madison, WI | $64,779 |
| Middle School Teacher | $77,320 | Madison, WI | $79,466 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $83,070 | Madison, WI | $85,375 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $123,280 | Madison, WI | $126,701 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $133,280 | Madison, WI | $136,978 |
| Tutor | $59,350 | Madison, WI | $60,997 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $66,950 | Madison, WI | $68,808 |
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.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,983 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Dane County | 4,143 workers, 319 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Fitchburg, WI – 6.8 mi away (28,875 pop)
- Sun Prairie, WI – 10.6 mi away (32,820 pop)
- Fort Atkinson, WI – 29.7 mi away (21,399 pop)
- Janesville, WI – 33.4 mi away (70,299 pop)
- Watertown, WI – 34.3 mi away (23,304 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Madison, WI?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Whitewater, WI (36.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lakeland University (83.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Madison are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($133,280), Education Administrator, K-12 ($123,280), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($83,070). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fitchburg instead of Madison?
Fitchburg, WI is 6.8 miles from Madison 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 Madison an affordable place to study education?
Madison’s median household income of $76,983 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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.
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