Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Baltimore, MD (2026)
Baltimore, Maryland has a population of about 577,193. The city’s median household income is $59,623 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Baltimore, with tuition ranging from $12,330 to $84,696 per year. In the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $121,870 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Baltimore
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Baltimore city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American University | Washington, DC | 36.0 mi | $56,543 - $71,549 | – |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 36.8 mi | $65,081 - $84,696 | – |
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | 49.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wilmington University | New Castle, DE | 60.7 mi | $12,330 - $19,326 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Baltimore
Baltimore is part of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area (BLS area code 12580). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maryland statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,910 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $64,029 |
| Management Analyst | $121,870 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $116,622 |
| Technical Writer | $93,650 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $89,617 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $61,050 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $58,421 |
| Editor | $77,790 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,440 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $75,250 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $72,010 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,030 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $76,584 |
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.
Baltimore at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,623 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Baltimore (city) County | 3,707 workers, 157 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Baltimore-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Laurel, MD – 19.7 mi away (25,853 pop)
- Annapolis, MD – 23.9 mi away (39,418 pop)
- Bowie, MD – 25.0 mi away (58,393 pop)
- Greenbelt, MD – 26.0 mi away (23,909 pop)
- College Park, MD – 27.3 mi away (32,275 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Baltimore, MD?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Baltimore. The closest is Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wilmington University (60.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Baltimore?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Baltimore are: Management Analyst ($121,870), Technical Writer ($93,650), Human Resources Specialist ($80,030). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maryland statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Laurel instead of Baltimore?
Laurel, MD is 19.7 miles from Baltimore 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 Baltimore an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Baltimore’s median household income of $59,623 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Baltimore while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maryland 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
- Online Liberal Arts Programs in Maryland
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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