Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bay City, MI (2026)
Bay City, Michigan has a population of about 32,445. The city’s median household income is $47,904 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bay City. In the Bay City, MI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $90,090 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Bay City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Bay City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mott Community College | Flint, MI | 41.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI | 44.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 66.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walsh College | Troy, MI | 79.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI | 80.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Bay City
Bay City is part of the Bay City, MI metro area (BLS area code 13020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,060 | MI statewide | $66,442 |
| Management Analyst | $90,090 | Bay City, MI | $98,030 |
| Technical Writer | $78,750 | MI statewide | $85,691 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,690 | MI statewide | $54,070 |
| Editor | $62,140 | MI statewide | $67,617 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $51,070 | Bay City, MI | $55,571 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $60,590 | Bay City, MI | $65,930 |
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.
Bay City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,445 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,904 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bay City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Saginaw, MI – 12.2 mi away (120,088 pop)
- Midland, MI – 17.3 mi away (59,343 pop)
- Flint, MI – 40.4 mi away (338,616 pop)
- Burton, MI – 43.2 mi away (28,648 pop)
- Owosso, MI – 43.6 mi away (21,653 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Bay City, MI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bay City. The closest is Mott Community College in Flint, MI (41.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ferris State University (80.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bay City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bay City are: Management Analyst ($90,090), Technical Writer ($78,750), Editor ($62,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Saginaw instead of Bay City?
Saginaw, MI is 12.2 miles from Bay City 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 Bay City an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bay City’s median household income of $47,904 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bay City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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 Michigan
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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