Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Jackson, MI (2026)
Jackson, Michigan has a population of about 31,206. The city’s median household income is $42,848 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Jackson, with tuition ranging from $29,778 to $54,950 per year for indexed programs. In the Jackson, MI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $91,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Jackson
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 72 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Jackson. Distances are calculated from Jackson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson College | Jackson, MI | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI | 8.2 mi | $32,580 - $43,178 | – |
| Albion College | Albion, MI | 17.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | 24.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Adrian College | Adrian, MI | 29.6 mi | $40,556 - $54,950 | – |
| The University of Olivet | Olivet, MI | 29.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Siena Heights University | Adrian, MI | 30.5 mi | $29,778 - $42,802 | – |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 34.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 34.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing, MI | 35.0 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 Jackson
Jackson is part of the Jackson, MI metro area (BLS area code 27100). 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 | $72,520 | Jackson, MI | $78,998 |
| Management Analyst | $91,510 | Jackson, MI | $99,684 |
| Technical Writer | $78,750 | MI statewide | $85,784 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,690 | MI statewide | $54,129 |
| Editor | $62,140 | MI statewide | $67,691 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $58,590 | Jackson, MI | $63,824 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,480 | Jackson, MI | $69,150 |
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.
Jackson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,206 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $42,848 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Jackson County | 40 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Jackson-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Adrian, MI – 30.0 mi away (43,850 pop)
- Lansing, MI – 33.5 mi away (318,278 pop)
- Ann Arbor, MI – 34.5 mi away (324,421 pop)
- East Lansing, MI – 35.1 mi away (48,870 pop)
- Ypsilanti, MI – 40.1 mi away (21,018 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Jackson, MI?
Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Jackson. The closest is Jackson College in Jackson, MI (5.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lansing Community College (35.0 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Jackson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Jackson are: Management Analyst ($91,510), Technical Writer ($78,750), Public Relations Specialist ($72,520). 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 Adrian instead of Jackson?
Adrian, MI is 30.0 miles from Jackson 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 Jackson an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Jackson’s median household income of $42,848 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jackson 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.
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