Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Auburn, ME (2026)
Auburn, Maine has a population of about 24,294. The city’s median household income is $66,552 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Auburn. In the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $81,260 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Auburn
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Auburn city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New England | Biddeford, ME | 43.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 44.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham, NH | 73.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maine schools on the Maine liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Auburn
Auburn is part of the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area (BLS area code 30340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maine statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,340 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $60,549 |
| Management Analyst | $81,260 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $85,808 |
| Technical Writer | $70,570 | ME statewide | $74,520 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $46,670 | ME statewide | $49,282 |
| Editor | $47,750 | ME statewide | $50,422 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,550 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $64,995 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $49,710 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $52,492 |
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.
Auburn at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,294 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,552 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Auburn-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Lewiston, ME – 4.0 mi away (58,664 pop)
- Portland, ME – 28.2 mi away (206,193 pop)
- Augusta, ME – 30.9 mi away (21,876 pop)
- South Portland, ME – 31.4 mi away (25,577 pop)
- Waterville, ME – 43.0 mi away (26,806 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Auburn, ME?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Auburn. The closest is University of New England in Biddeford, ME (43.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus (73.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Auburn?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Auburn are: Management Analyst ($81,260), Technical Writer ($70,570), Training and Development Specialist ($61,550). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maine statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lewiston instead of Auburn?
Lewiston, ME is 4.0 miles from Auburn 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 Auburn an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Auburn’s median household income of $66,552 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Auburn while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maine 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.