Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Patterson, CA (2026)
Patterson, California has a population of about 24,306. The city’s median household income is $93,542 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Patterson, with tuition ranging from $31,243 to $31,243 per year. In California, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $100,440 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Patterson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Patterson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | 50.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 56.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Laney College | Oakland, CA | 65.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Golden Gate University | San Francisco, CA | 72.1 mi | $31,243 | – |
| Naval Postgraduate School | Monterey, CA | 72.7 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 Patterson
Patterson is part of the Modesto, CA metro area (BLS area code 33700). 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 | $68,560 | Modesto, CA | $65,860 |
| Management Analyst | $97,410 | Modesto, CA | $93,573 |
| Technical Writer | $100,440 | CA statewide | $96,484 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $84,830 | CA statewide | $81,489 |
| Editor | $90,570 | CA statewide | $87,003 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $69,250 | Modesto, CA | $66,523 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,500 | Modesto, CA | $72,526 |
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.
Patterson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,306 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,542 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Stanislaus County | 368 workers, 38 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Patterson-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Ceres, CA – 13.0 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 13.7 mi away (377,755 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 15.8 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Riverbank, CA – 20.8 mi away (24,389 pop)
- Manteca, CA – 22.6 mi away (95,797 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Patterson, CA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Patterson. The closest is De Anza College in Cupertino, CA (50.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Naval Postgraduate School (72.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Patterson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Patterson are: Technical Writer ($100,440), Management Analyst ($97,410), Editor ($90,570). 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 Ceres instead of Patterson?
Ceres, CA is 13.0 miles from Patterson 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 Patterson an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Patterson’s median household income of $93,542 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Patterson 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
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