Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Boulder, CO (2026)
Boulder, Colorado has a population of about 106,274. The city’s median household income is $85,364 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 76.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Boulder, with tuition ranging from $4,030 to $33,751 per year. In the Boulder, CO metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $106,660 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Boulder
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Boulder city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 28.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO | 32.0 mi | $4,030 - $16,210 | – |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO | 38.5 mi | $12,896 - $33,751 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Boulder
Boulder is part of the Boulder, CO metro area (BLS area code 14500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Colorado statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $90,000 | Boulder, CO | $85,551 |
| Management Analyst | $106,660 | Boulder, CO | $101,388 |
| Technical Writer | $99,740 | Boulder, CO | $94,810 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,650 | CO statewide | $56,702 |
| Editor | $78,700 | Boulder, CO | $74,810 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $77,670 | Boulder, CO | $73,831 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $85,200 | Boulder, CO | $80,989 |
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.
Boulder at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,364 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 76.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Boulder County | 825 workers, 244 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Boulder-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Louisville, CO – 6.9 mi away (20,801 pop)
- Lafayette, CO – 8.3 mi away (91,767 pop)
- Erie, CO – 11.2 mi away (22,803 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 11.7 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Longmont, CO – 12.7 mi away (97,835 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Boulder, CO?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Boulder. The closest is University of Denver in Denver, CO (28.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Colorado State University-Fort Collins (38.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Boulder?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Boulder are: Management Analyst ($106,660), Technical Writer ($99,740), Public Relations Specialist ($90,000). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Colorado statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Louisville instead of Boulder?
Louisville, CO is 6.9 miles from Boulder 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 Boulder an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Boulder’s median household income of $85,364 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boulder while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Colorado 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 Colorado
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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