Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Biddeford, ME (2026)
Biddeford, Maine has a population of about 22,463. The city’s median household income is $69,794 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Biddeford, with tuition ranging from $67,844 to $84,600 per year. In the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $84,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Biddeford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Biddeford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New England | Biddeford, ME | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham, NH | 33.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salem State University | Salem, MA | 70.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tufts University | Medford, MA | 79.7 mi | $67,844 - $84,600 | – |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston, MA | 81.7 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 Biddeford
Biddeford is part of the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area (BLS area code 38860). 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 | $61,520 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $60,373 |
| Management Analyst | $84,680 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $83,101 |
| Technical Writer | $73,210 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $71,845 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $48,300 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $47,399 |
| Editor | $47,750 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $46,860 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,040 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $63,827 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,620 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $68,322 |
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.
Biddeford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,463 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,794 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in York County | 272 workers, 51 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Biddeford-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- South Portland, ME – 13.9 mi away (25,577 pop)
- Sanford, ME – 15.6 mi away (29,139 pop)
- Portland, ME – 17.1 mi away (206,193 pop)
- Rochester, NH – 28.9 mi away (30,345 pop)
- Dover, NH – 29.1 mi away (91,514 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Biddeford, ME?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Biddeford. The closest is University of New England in Biddeford, ME (3.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bunker Hill Community College (81.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Biddeford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Biddeford are: Management Analyst ($84,680), Technical Writer ($73,210), Human Resources Specialist ($69,620). 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 South Portland instead of Biddeford?
South Portland, ME is 13.9 miles from Biddeford 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 Biddeford an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Biddeford’s median household income of $69,794 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Biddeford 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.