Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Dayton, OH (2026)
Dayton, Ohio has a population of about 136,741. The city’s median household income is $43,454 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dayton. In the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $100,480 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Dayton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Dayton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management | Wright-Patterson AFB, OH | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | 48.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | 65.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Franklin University | Columbus, OH | 65.3 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 Dayton
Dayton is part of the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area (BLS area code 19430). 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 | $62,100 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $66,990 |
| Management Analyst | $100,480 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $108,393 |
| Technical Writer | $64,850 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $69,957 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $36,470 | OH statewide | $39,342 |
| Editor | $60,290 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $65,038 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $63,870 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $68,900 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,740 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $69,838 |
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.
Dayton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,454 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Montgomery County | 1,344 workers, 53 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Dayton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Riverside, OH – 4.1 mi away (24,981 pop)
- Trotwood, OH – 6.3 mi away (24,331 pop)
- Kettering, OH – 6.4 mi away (55,306 pop)
- Huber Heights, OH – 7.2 mi away (38,019 pop)
- Beavercreek, OH – 8.0 mi away (46,376 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Dayton, OH?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dayton. The closest is Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Franklin University (65.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Dayton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Dayton are: Management Analyst ($100,480), Technical Writer ($64,850), Human Resources Specialist ($64,740). 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 Riverside instead of Dayton?
Riverside, OH is 4.1 miles from Dayton 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 Dayton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Dayton’s median household income of $43,454 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Dayton 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.