Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Clearwater, FL (2026)
Clearwater, Florida has a population of about 117,075. The city’s median household income is $64,440 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of Clearwater. In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $92,250 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Clearwater
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Clearwater city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 49.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Clearwater
Clearwater is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area (BLS area code 45300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $58,600 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $58,077 |
| Management Analyst | $92,250 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $91,427 |
| Technical Writer | $81,020 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $80,297 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $38,860 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $38,513 |
| Editor | $64,780 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $64,202 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $63,820 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $63,251 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,430 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $61,873 |
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.
Clearwater at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,440 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Pinellas County | 3,910 workers, 306 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Clearwater-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Dunedin, FL – 4.0 mi away (36,381 pop)
- Largo, FL – 4.9 mi away (83,065 pop)
- Pinellas Park, FL – 8.9 mi away (52,137 pop)
- Tarpon Springs, FL – 11.8 mi away (24,867 pop)
- Saint Petersburg, FL – 14.1 mi away (260,999 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Clearwater, FL?
Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Clearwater. The closest is Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL (49.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Florida Southern College (49.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Clearwater?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Clearwater are: Management Analyst ($92,250), Technical Writer ($81,020), Editor ($64,780). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Dunedin instead of Clearwater?
Dunedin, FL is 4.0 miles from Clearwater 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 Clearwater an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Clearwater’s median household income of $64,440 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Clearwater while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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
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