Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Traverse City, MI (2026)

Traverse City, Michigan has a population of about 15,491. The city’s median household income is $71,731 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Traverse City. In the Traverse City, MI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $83,200 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).

Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Traverse City

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Traverse City city center.

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan liberal arts page.

Liberal Arts Wages Near Traverse City

Traverse City is part of the Traverse City, MI metro area (BLS area code 45900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.

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.

Traverse City at a Glance

Other Traverse City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs

• Mount Pleasant, MI – 89.9 mi away (37,877 pop)
• Escanaba, MI – 99.7 mi away (20,370 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Traverse City, MI?

Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Traverse City. The closest is Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI (74.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Michigan University (90.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Traverse City?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Traverse City are: Management Analyst ($83,200), Technical Writer ($78,750), Human Resources Specialist ($62,700). 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 Mount Pleasant instead of Traverse City?

Mount Pleasant, MI is 89.9 miles from Traverse 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 Traverse City an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Traverse City’s median household income of $71,731 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Traverse 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