Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Royal Oak, MI (2026)
Royal Oak, Michigan has a population of about 57,880. The city’s median household income is $95,182 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 62.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Royal Oak. 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 Royal Oak
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Royal Oak city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walsh College | Troy, MI | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | 13.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI | 30.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 33.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mott Community College | Flint, MI | 44.2 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 Royal Oak
Royal Oak 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.
Royal Oak at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,880 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,182 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 62.6% | 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 Royal Oak-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Madison Heights, MI – 2.6 mi away (30,088 pop)
- Oak Park, MI – 3.3 mi away (29,645 pop)
- Ferndale, MI – 3.6 mi away (20,099 pop)
- Birmingham, MI – 4.1 mi away (21,007 pop)
- Troy, MI – 5.1 mi away (83,641 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Royal Oak, MI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Royal Oak. The closest is Walsh College in Troy, MI (4.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mott Community College (44.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Royal Oak?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Royal Oak 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 Madison Heights instead of Royal Oak?
Madison Heights, MI is 2.6 miles from Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Royal Oak’s median household income of $95,182 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Royal Oak 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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