Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Ocala, FL (2026)
Ocala, Florida has a population of about 64,903. The city’s median household income is $53,520 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ocala, with tuition ranging from $2,563 to $41,727 per year for indexed programs. In the Ocala, FL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $77,330 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Ocala
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 40 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Ocala. Distances are calculated from Ocala city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Central Florida | Ocala, FL | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beacon College | Leesburg, FL | 30.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg, FL | 32.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 34.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Florida-Online | Gainesville, FL | 34.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | ✓ |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | 38.6 mi | $2,563 - $14,353 | – |
| Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stetson University | DeLand, FL | 52.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | 58.7 mi | $28,360 - $41,727 | – |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | 59.0 mi | $3,227 - $11,447 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Ocala
Ocala is part of the Ocala, FL metro area (BLS area code 36100). 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 | $52,330 | Ocala, FL | $54,968 |
| Management Analyst | $75,400 | Ocala, FL | $79,202 |
| Technical Writer | $77,330 | Ocala, FL | $81,229 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,720 | FL statewide | $60,630 |
| Editor | $64,380 | FL statewide | $67,626 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $49,620 | Ocala, FL | $52,122 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $60,390 | Ocala, FL | $63,435 |
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.
Ocala at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,903 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,520 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Ocala-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Leesburg, FL – 32.3 mi away (146,398 pop)
- Eustis, FL – 36.2 mi away (20,768 pop)
- Gainesville, FL – 36.6 mi away (198,702 pop)
- Palatka, FL – 43.7 mi away (23,740 pop)
- Apopka, FL – 50.0 mi away (49,458 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Ocala, FL?
Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ocala. The closest is College of Central Florida in Ocala, FL (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Seminole State College of Florida (59.0 miles). 1 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Ocala?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Ocala are: Technical Writer ($77,330), Management Analyst ($75,400), Editor ($64,380). 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 Leesburg instead of Ocala?
Leesburg, FL is 32.3 miles from Ocala 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 Ocala an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Ocala’s median household income of $53,520 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ocala 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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