Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Waterville, ME (2026)
Waterville, Maine has a population of about 16,704. The city’s median household income is $47,489 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 21 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Waterville. In Maine, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $80,210 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Waterville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 21 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Waterville. Distances are calculated from Waterville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas College | Waterville, ME | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield, ME | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta, ME | 15.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Maine at Farmington | Farmington, ME | 25.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn, ME | 40.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 40.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Maine Maritime Academy | Castine, ME | 43.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 46.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Husson University | Bangor, ME | 47.1 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 Waterville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Maine, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,700 |
| Management Analyst | $80,210 |
| Technical Writer | $70,570 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $46,670 |
| Editor | $47,750 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $67,420 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,420 |
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.
Waterville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,704 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,489 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Kennebec County | 77 workers, 17 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waterville-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Augusta, ME – 14.9 mi away (21,876 pop)
- Lewiston, ME – 40.0 mi away (58,664 pop)
- Auburn, ME – 43.0 mi away (22,948 pop)
- Bangor, ME – 47.2 mi away (59,259 pop)
- Portland, ME – 67.1 mi away (206,193 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Waterville, ME?
Our directory has 21 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Waterville. The closest is Thomas College in Waterville, ME (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Husson University (47.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Maine?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Maine are: Management Analyst ($80,210), Technical Writer ($70,570), Training and Development Specialist ($67,420). Wages for Waterville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Augusta instead of Waterville?
Augusta, ME is 14.9 miles from Waterville 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 Waterville an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Waterville’s median household income of $47,489 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waterville 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.
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.