Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Gilroy, CA (2026)
Gilroy, California has a population of about 58,561. The city’s median household income is $131,554 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Gilroy. In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $141,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Gilroy
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Gilroy city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Postgraduate School | Monterey, CA | 32.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey | Monterey, CA | 32.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 43.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Laney College | Oakland, CA | 66.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Gilroy
Gilroy is part of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area (BLS area code 41940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,200 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $91,667 |
| Management Analyst | $141,150 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $127,853 |
| Technical Writer | $135,880 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,080 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $74,290 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,292 |
| Editor | $96,270 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $87,201 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $97,530 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $88,342 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $114,080 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $103,333 |
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.
Gilroy at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,561 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $131,554 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 110.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Santa Clara County | 5,034 workers, 220 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gilroy-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Morgan Hill, CA – 9.4 mi away (44,155 pop)
- Watsonville, CA – 11.8 mi away (77,266 pop)
- Hollister, CA – 14.5 mi away (45,496 pop)
- Salinas, CA – 22.0 mi away (193,126 pop)
- Santa Cruz, CA – 24.9 mi away (176,037 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Gilroy, CA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Gilroy. The closest is Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA (32.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Laney College (66.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Gilroy?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Gilroy are: Management Analyst ($141,150), Technical Writer ($135,880), Human Resources Specialist ($114,080). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Morgan Hill instead of Gilroy?
Morgan Hill, CA is 9.4 miles from Gilroy and has its own set of local liberal arts programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Gilroy an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Gilroy’s median household income of $131,554 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gilroy while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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
- Online Liberal Arts Programs in California
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in California (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in California (2026)