Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Akron, OH (2026)
Akron, Ohio has a population of about 189,526. The city’s median household income is $48,544 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 77 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Akron, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $45,817 per year for indexed programs. In the Akron, OH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $82,960 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Akron
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 77 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Akron. Distances are calculated from Akron city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 10.4 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| Stark State College | North Canton, OH | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Stark | North Canton, OH | 15.3 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| Walsh University | North Canton, OH | 16.3 mi | $34,595 - $45,817 | – |
| Malone University | Canton, OH | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Akron Wayne College | Orrville, OH | 20.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mount Union | Alliance, OH | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hiram College | Hiram, OH | 25.3 mi | $26,265 - $38,952 | – |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OH | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Akron
Akron is part of the Akron, OH metro area (BLS area code 10420). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Ohio statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,780 | Akron, OH | $71,499 |
| Management Analyst | $82,960 | Akron, OH | $88,822 |
| Technical Writer | $70,070 | Akron, OH | $75,021 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $35,670 | Akron, OH | $38,191 |
| Editor | $59,110 | Akron, OH | $63,287 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,870 | Akron, OH | $67,313 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,590 | Akron, OH | $70,225 |
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.
Akron at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,544 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Summit County | 934 workers, 82 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Akron-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Cuyahoga Falls, OH – 5.8 mi away (49,206 pop)
- Barberton, OH – 6.5 mi away (26,120 pop)
- Stow, OH – 8.1 mi away (34,711 pop)
- Green, OH – 9.4 mi away (25,673 pop)
- Kent, OH – 9.6 mi away (30,071 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Akron, OH?
Our directory has 77 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Akron. The closest is University of Akron Main Campus in Akron, OH (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Baldwin Wallace University (26.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Akron?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Akron are: Management Analyst ($82,960), Technical Writer ($70,070), Public Relations Specialist ($66,780). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Ohio statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cuyahoga Falls instead of Akron?
Cuyahoga Falls, OH is 5.8 miles from Akron 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 Akron an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Akron’s median household income of $48,544 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Akron while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Ohio 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.