Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Rochester Hills, MI (2026)
Rochester Hills, Michigan has a population of about 76,086. The city’s median household income is $119,054 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 60.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 43 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Rochester Hills, with tuition ranging from $14,297 to $30,419 per year for indexed programs. In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $98,200 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Rochester Hills
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 43 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Rochester Hills. Distances are calculated from Rochester Hills city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester University | Rochester Hills, MI | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills, MI | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walsh College | Troy, MI | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cranbrook Academy of Art | Bloomfield Hills, MI | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lawrence Technological University | Southfield, MI | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, MI | 17.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College for Creative Studies | Detroit, MI | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | 21.6 mi | $14,297 - $30,419 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Rochester Hills
Rochester Hills is part of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area (BLS area code 19820). 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 | $62,850 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,662 |
| Management Analyst | $98,200 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $97,906 |
| Technical Writer | $82,220 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $81,974 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $63,640 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $63,450 |
| Editor | $66,790 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $66,590 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $68,290 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $68,086 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,350 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $73,131 |
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.
Rochester Hills at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,086 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $119,054 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 60.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Oakland County | 1,638 workers, 218 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rochester Hills-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Auburn Hills, MI – 4.5 mi away (22,795 pop)
- Troy, MI – 5.7 mi away (83,641 pop)
- Pontiac, MI – 6.8 mi away (59,698 pop)
- Sterling Heights, MI – 8.6 mi away (132,427 pop)
- Birmingham, MI – 8.8 mi away (21,007 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Rochester Hills, MI?
Our directory has 43 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Rochester Hills. The closest is Rochester University in Rochester Hills, MI (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne State University (21.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Rochester Hills?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Rochester Hills are: Management Analyst ($98,200), Technical Writer ($82,220), Human Resources Specialist ($73,350). 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 Auburn Hills instead of Rochester Hills?
Auburn Hills, MI is 4.5 miles from Rochester Hills 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 Rochester Hills an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Rochester Hills’s median household income of $119,054 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester Hills 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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