Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Benton Harbor, MI (2026)
Benton Harbor, Michigan has a population of about 9,023. The city’s median household income is $29,652 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 7.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 106 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Benton Harbor, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $42,276 per year for indexed programs. In the Niles, MI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $83,160 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Benton Harbor
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 106 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Benton Harbor. Distances are calculated from Benton Harbor city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Andrews University | Berrien Springs, MI | 11.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 21.5 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
| Saint Mary’s College | Notre Dame, IN | 29.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Holy Cross College | Notre Dame, IN | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences | South Bend, IN | 32.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethel University | Mishawaka, IN | 32.9 mi | $33,320 - $42,276 | – |
| Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, IN | 33.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 40.0 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 Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor is part of the Niles, MI metro area (BLS area code 35660). 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 | $63,340 | Niles, MI | $68,550 |
| Management Analyst | $83,160 | Niles, MI | $90,000 |
| Technical Writer | $78,750 | MI statewide | $85,227 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,690 | MI statewide | $53,777 |
| Editor | $62,140 | MI statewide | $67,251 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,690 | Niles, MI | $71,093 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,940 | Niles, MI | $71,364 |
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.
Benton Harbor at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,023 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $29,652 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 7.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Berrien County | 187 workers, 26 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Benton Harbor-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- South Bend, IN – 31.7 mi away (279,698 pop)
- LaPorte, IN – 37.7 mi away (21,732 pop)
- Elkhart, IN – 38.5 mi away (147,181 pop)
- Portage, MI – 44.3 mi away (48,508 pop)
- Kalamazoo, MI – 45.4 mi away (214,583 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Benton Harbor, MI?
Our directory has 106 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Benton Harbor. The closest is Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, MI (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kalamazoo Valley Community College (40.0 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Benton Harbor?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Benton Harbor are: Management Analyst ($83,160), Technical Writer ($78,750), Human Resources Specialist ($65,940). 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 South Bend instead of Benton Harbor?
South Bend, IN is 31.7 miles from Benton Harbor 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 Benton Harbor an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Benton Harbor’s median household income of $29,652 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Benton Harbor 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
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.
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Michigan (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Michigan (2026)