Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Dover, DE (2026)
Dover, Delaware has a population of about 39,491. The city’s median household income is $58,336 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dover, with tuition ranging from $12,330 to $19,326 per year. In Delaware, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Editor at a median $91,700 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Dover
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Dover city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington University | New Castle, DE | 36.3 mi | $12,330 - $19,326 | – |
| Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | 43.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Widener University | Chester, PA | 49.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 57.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | 57.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Delaware schools on the Delaware liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Dover
Dover is part of the Dover, DE metro area (BLS area code 20100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Delaware statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $58,860 | Dover, DE | $60,369 |
| Management Analyst | $67,660 | Dover, DE | $69,395 |
| Technical Writer | N/A | DE statewide | – |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $61,580 | DE statewide | $63,159 |
| Editor | $91,700 | DE statewide | $94,051 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,330 | Dover, DE | $67,005 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,310 | Dover, DE | $62,882 |
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.
Dover at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,491 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,336 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Kent County | 176 workers, 35 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Dover-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Milford, DE – 18.1 mi away (20,683 pop)
- Middletown, DE – 22.3 mi away (32,540 pop)
- Millville, NJ – 29.5 mi away (28,059 pop)
- Lewes, DE – 33.2 mi away (27,008 pop)
- Vineland, NJ – 35.0 mi away (94,943 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Dover, DE?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dover. The closest is Wilmington University in New Castle, DE (36.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Drexel University (57.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Dover?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Dover are: Editor ($91,700), Management Analyst ($67,660), Training and Development Specialist ($65,330). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Delaware statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Milford instead of Dover?
Milford, DE is 18.1 miles from Dover 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 Dover an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Dover’s median household income of $58,336 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Dover while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Delaware 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 Delaware
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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