Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Fort Collins, CO (2026)
Fort Collins, Colorado has a population of about 169,705. The city’s median household income is $83,598 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Fort Collins, with tuition ranging from $4,030 to $33,751 per year. In Colorado, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $104,990 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Fort Collins
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Collins city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO | 1.8 mi | $12,896 - $33,751 | – |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO | 59.0 mi | $4,030 - $16,210 | – |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 60.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Fort Collins
Fort Collins is part of the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area (BLS area code 22660). 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 | $76,320 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $75,490 |
| Management Analyst | $104,990 | CO statewide | $103,848 |
| Technical Writer | $103,960 | CO statewide | $102,829 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $48,260 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $47,735 |
| Editor | $79,250 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $78,388 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $64,450 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $63,749 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,350 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $72,552 |
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.
Fort Collins at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,598 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Larimer County | 760 workers, 131 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Collins-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Loveland, CO – 9.1 mi away (76,897 pop)
- Windsor, CO – 9.5 mi away (22,776 pop)
- Johnstown, CO – 15.1 mi away (21,313 pop)
- Greeley, CO – 18.1 mi away (131,900 pop)
- Evans, CO – 21.3 mi away (21,615 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Fort Collins, CO?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Fort Collins. The closest is Colorado State University-Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Denver (60.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Fort Collins?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Fort Collins are: Management Analyst ($104,990), Technical Writer ($103,960), Editor ($79,250). 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 Loveland instead of Fort Collins?
Loveland, CO is 9.1 miles from Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Fort Collins’s median household income of $83,598 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Collins 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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