Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Albany, NY (2026)
Albany, New York has a population of about 100,081. The city’s median household income is $59,485 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Albany, with tuition ranging from $37,452 to $79,934 per year. In the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $91,020 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Albany
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Albany city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The College of Saint Rose | Albany, NY | 0.7 mi | $37,452 - $52,773 | – |
| Siena College | Loudonville, NY | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | 7.5 mi | $61,884 - $79,934 | – |
| Bennington College | Bennington, VT | 33.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 67.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Albany
Albany is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area (BLS area code 10580). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New York statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,490 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,745 |
| Management Analyst | $81,780 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $82,108 |
| Technical Writer | $91,020 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $91,386 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $62,870 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,122 |
| Editor | $72,300 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $72,590 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $71,300 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $71,586 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,020 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $75,321 |
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.
Albany at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,485 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 99.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Albany County | 524 workers, 73 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Albany-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Troy, NY – 7.9 mi away (49,702 pop)
- Schenectady, NY – 11.5 mi away (64,913 pop)
- Amsterdam, NY – 27.5 mi away (21,351 pop)
- Saratoga Springs, NY – 27.7 mi away (66,945 pop)
- Pittsfield, MA – 31.1 mi away (56,628 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Albany, NY?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Albany. The closest is The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Massachusetts-Amherst (67.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Albany?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Albany are: Technical Writer ($91,020), Management Analyst ($81,780), Human Resources Specialist ($75,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New York statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Troy instead of Albany?
Troy, NY is 7.9 miles from Albany 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 Albany an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Albany’s median household income of $59,485 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Albany while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New York 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 York
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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