Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Pittsfield, MA (2026)
Pittsfield, Massachusetts has a population of about 43,559. The city’s median household income is $68,386 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Pittsfield, with tuition ranging from $37,452 to $79,934 per year. In Massachusetts, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $102,640 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Pittsfield
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Pittsfield city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | 28.7 mi | $61,884 - $79,934 | – |
| The College of Saint Rose | Albany, NY | 30.5 mi | $37,452 - $52,773 | – |
| Siena College | Loudonville, NY | 30.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bennington College | Bennington, VT | 32.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 37.5 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 Pittsfield
Pittsfield is part of the Pittsfield, MA metro area (BLS area code 38340). 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 | $62,900 | Pittsfield, MA | $66,141 |
| Management Analyst | $98,480 | Pittsfield, MA | $103,554 |
| Technical Writer | $102,640 | MA statewide | $107,928 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $58,890 | MA statewide | $61,924 |
| Editor | $63,840 | Pittsfield, MA | $67,129 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $59,010 | Pittsfield, MA | $62,050 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,050 | Pittsfield, MA | $79,968 |
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.
Pittsfield at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,559 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $68,386 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Berkshire County | 1,010 workers, 66 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Pittsfield-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Troy, NY – 28.8 mi away (49,702 pop)
- Northampton, MA – 31.1 mi away (28,483 pop)
- Albany, NY – 31.1 mi away (596,419 pop)
- Westfield, MA – 33.7 mi away (41,552 pop)
- Holyoke, MA – 35.7 mi away (40,280 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Pittsfield, MA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Pittsfield. The closest is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY (28.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Massachusetts-Amherst (37.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Pittsfield?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Pittsfield are: Technical Writer ($102,640), Management Analyst ($98,480), Human Resources Specialist ($76,050). 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 Troy instead of Pittsfield?
Troy, NY is 28.8 miles from Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Pittsfield’s median household income of $68,386 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pittsfield 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
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