Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Canton, OH (2026)
Canton, Ohio has a population of about 70,105. The city’s median household income is $39,754 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Canton, with tuition ranging from $10,791 to $29,345 per year. In the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $81,310 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Canton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Canton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malone University | Canton, OH | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 23.7 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | 42.9 mi | $10,791 - $20,028 | – |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OH | 46.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | 49.9 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 Canton
Canton is part of the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area (BLS area code 15940). 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 | $55,620 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $62,215 |
| Management Analyst | $81,310 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $90,951 |
| Technical Writer | $60,020 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $67,136 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $35,070 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $39,228 |
| Editor | $61,330 | OH statewide | $68,602 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $56,800 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $63,535 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,830 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $66,924 |
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.
Canton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,105 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $39,754 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Stark County | 608 workers, 45 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Canton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Massillon, OH – 8.4 mi away (32,258 pop)
- Green, OH – 11.2 mi away (25,673 pop)
- Alliance, OH – 14.8 mi away (31,917 pop)
- Barberton, OH – 18.6 mi away (26,120 pop)
- Akron, OH – 20.4 mi away (565,311 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Canton, OH?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Canton. The closest is Malone University in Canton, OH (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Case Western Reserve University (49.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Canton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Canton are: Management Analyst ($81,310), Editor ($61,330), Technical Writer ($60,020). 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 Massillon instead of Canton?
Massillon, OH is 8.4 miles from Canton 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 Canton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Canton’s median household income of $39,754 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Canton 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.