Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lafayette, IN (2026)
Lafayette, Indiana has a population of about 70,650. The city’s median household income is $52,946 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lafayette, with tuition ranging from $45,980 to $64,503 per year. In the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $89,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Lafayette
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Lafayette city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Global | West Lafayette, IN | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Butler University | Indianapolis, IN | 53.2 mi | $45,980 - $64,503 | – |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 56.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American College of Education | Indianapolis, IN | 57.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Lafayette
Lafayette is part of the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area (BLS area code 29200). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Indiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,140 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $68,672 |
| Management Analyst | $89,590 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $95,921 |
| Technical Writer | $78,240 | IN statewide | $83,769 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $45,470 | IN statewide | $48,683 |
| Editor | $48,010 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $51,403 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $48,670 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $52,109 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,740 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $68,244 |
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.
Lafayette at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,650 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,946 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lafayette-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- West Lafayette, IN – 4.6 mi away (45,872 pop)
- Zionsville, IN – 40.7 mi away (26,784 pop)
- Danville, IL – 43.4 mi away (48,785 pop)
- Westfield, IN – 45.1 mi away (37,221 pop)
- Brownsburg, IN – 46.5 mi away (25,408 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Lafayette, IN?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lafayette. The closest is Purdue University-Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is American College of Education (57.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Lafayette?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Lafayette are: Management Analyst ($89,590), Technical Writer ($78,240), Public Relations Specialist ($64,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in West Lafayette instead of Lafayette?
West Lafayette, IN is 4.6 miles from Lafayette 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 Lafayette an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Lafayette’s median household income of $52,946 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lafayette while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana 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.
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