Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Gardner, MA (2026)
Gardner, Massachusetts has a population of about 21,075. The city’s median household income is $62,948 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 148 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Gardner, with tuition ranging from $11,286 to $75,678 per year for indexed programs. In the Worcester, MA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $107,540 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Gardner
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 148 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Gardner. Distances are calculated from Gardner city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Franklin Pierce University | Rindge, NH | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton, MA | 17.9 mi | $43,064 - $61,106 | – |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester, MA | 21.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Assumption University | Worcester, MA | 21.6 mi | $49,414 - $61,777 | – |
| Worcester State University | Worcester, MA | 23.1 mi | $11,286 - $21,586 | – |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester, MA | 23.3 mi | $59,070 - $75,678 | – |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Gardner
Gardner is part of the Worcester, MA metro area (BLS area code 49340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,820 | Worcester, MA | $72,020 |
| Management Analyst | $107,540 | Worcester, MA | $104,917 |
| Technical Writer | $87,820 | Worcester, MA | $85,678 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $58,890 | MA statewide | $57,454 |
| Editor | $71,630 | Worcester, MA | $69,883 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,790 | Worcester, MA | $61,259 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,020 | Worcester, MA | $74,166 |
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.
Gardner at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,075 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,948 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Worcester County | 1,746 workers, 101 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gardner-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Fitchburg, MA – 8.7 mi away (40,414 pop)
- Leominster, MA – 11.8 mi away (119,538 pop)
- Worcester, MA – 23.5 mi away (495,856 pop)
- Nashua, NH – 27.6 mi away (230,061 pop)
- Marlborough, MA – 27.7 mi away (39,697 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Gardner, MA?
Our directory has 148 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Gardner. The closest is Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of the Holy Cross (25.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Gardner?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Gardner are: Management Analyst ($107,540), Technical Writer ($87,820), Human Resources Specialist ($76,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fitchburg instead of Gardner?
Fitchburg, MA is 8.7 miles from Gardner 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 Gardner an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Gardner’s median household income of $62,948 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardner while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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.
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