Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Manchester, NH (2026)
Manchester, New Hampshire has a population of about 115,415. The city’s median household income is $77,415 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Manchester, with tuition ranging from $58,150 to $84,600 per year. In the Manchester-Nashua, NH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $108,710 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Manchester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Manchester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham, NH | 28.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tufts University | Medford, MA | 42.7 mi | $67,844 - $84,600 | – |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 43.0 mi | $58,150 - $77,082 | – |
| Salem State University | Salem, MA | 43.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 45.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Hampshire schools on the New Hampshire liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Manchester
Manchester is part of the Manchester-Nashua, NH metro area (BLS area code 31700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Hampshire statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,490 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $66,689 |
| Management Analyst | $108,710 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $102,848 |
| Technical Writer | $93,730 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $88,675 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $61,740 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $58,411 |
| Editor | $77,160 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $72,999 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $76,500 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $72,375 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $72,000 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $68,117 |
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.
Manchester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,415 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Hillsborough County | 445 workers, 57 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Manchester-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Nashua, NH – 16.4 mi away (230,061 pop)
- Concord, NH – 18.0 mi away (42,821 pop)
- Methuen, MA – 21.6 mi away (49,917 pop)
- Haverhill, MA – 22.8 mi away (62,873 pop)
- Lawrence, MA – 24.3 mi away (80,209 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Manchester, NH?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Manchester. The closest is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus in Durham, NH (28.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Harvard University (45.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Manchester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Manchester are: Management Analyst ($108,710), Technical Writer ($93,730), Editor ($77,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Hampshire statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Nashua instead of Manchester?
Nashua, NH is 16.4 miles from Manchester 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 Manchester an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Manchester’s median household income of $77,415 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Manchester while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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