Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Manhattan, NY (2026)
Manhattan, New York has a population of about 1,643,734. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Manhattan. 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 Manhattan
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Manhattan city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, NY | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New York University | New York, NY | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York, NY | 5.2 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 Manhattan
Manhattan 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 York 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.
Manhattan at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in New York County | 47,065 workers, 3,928 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Manhattan-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- West New York, NJ – 2.3 mi away (53,343 pop)
- Cliffside Park, NJ – 2.9 mi away (24,856 pop)
- Union City, NJ – 3.6 mi away (69,296 pop)
- Hoboken, NJ – 4.2 mi away (54,379 pop)
- Fort Lee, NJ – 4.7 mi away (37,577 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Manhattan, NY?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Manhattan. The closest is CUNY Hunter College in New York, NY (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (5.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Manhattan?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Manhattan are: Management Analyst ($110,950), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($104,270), Editor ($99,220). 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 West New York instead of Manhattan?
West New York, NJ is 2.3 miles from Manhattan 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.
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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