Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Passaic, NJ (2026)
Passaic, New Jersey has a population of about 69,651. The city’s median household income is $56,780 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Passaic. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $110,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Passaic
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Passaic city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark, NJ | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, NY | 9.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | 10.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Jersey schools on the New Jersey liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Passaic
Passaic is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (BLS area code 35620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Jersey statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,990 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $71,039 |
| Management Analyst | $110,950 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $98,535 |
| Technical Writer | $83,580 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,227 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $104,270 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $92,602 |
| Editor | $99,220 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $88,117 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $78,720 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $69,911 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,060 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $73,766 |
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.
Passaic at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,651 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,780 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Passaic County | 185 workers, 44 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Passaic-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Clifton, NJ – 1.6 mi away (85,845 pop)
- Garfield, NJ – 1.8 mi away (31,876 pop)
- Lodi, NJ – 2.8 mi away (24,778 pop)
- Elmwood Park, NJ – 3.3 mi away (20,295 pop)
- Paterson, NJ – 4.3 mi away (147,000 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Passaic, NJ?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Passaic. The closest is Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ (3.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is CUNY Hunter College (10.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Passaic?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Passaic are: Management Analyst ($110,950), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($104,270), Editor ($99,220). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Jersey statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Clifton instead of Passaic?
Clifton, NJ is 1.6 miles from Passaic 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 Passaic an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Passaic’s median household income of $56,780 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Passaic while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Jersey 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 Jersey
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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