Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kent, OH (2026)
Kent, Ohio has a population of about 27,190. The city’s median household income is $42,524 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 79 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Kent, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $62,943 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 Kent
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 79 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Kent. Distances are calculated from Kent city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 1.0 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH | 9.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hiram College | Hiram, OH | 15.9 mi | $26,265 - $38,952 | – |
| Walsh University | North Canton, OH | 19.0 mi | $34,595 - $45,817 | – |
| Stark State College | North Canton, OH | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Stark | North Canton, OH | 19.8 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| University of Mount Union | Alliance, OH | 21.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Malone University | Canton, OH | 22.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ursuline College | Pepper Pike, OH | 24.6 mi | $37,860 - $49,537 | – |
| John Carroll University | University Heights, OH | 25.2 mi | $49,100 - $62,943 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Kent
Kent 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.
Kent at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,190 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $42,524 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.6% | 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 Portage County | 29 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kent-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Stow, OH – 4.3 mi away (34,711 pop)
- Hudson, OH – 7.5 mi away (22,251 pop)
- Cuyahoga Falls, OH – 8.4 mi away (49,206 pop)
- Akron, OH – 9.6 mi away (565,311 pop)
- Green, OH – 15.1 mi away (25,673 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Kent, OH?
Our directory has 79 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Kent. The closest is Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is John Carroll University (25.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Kent?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Kent 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 Stow instead of Kent?
Stow, OH is 4.3 miles from Kent 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 Kent an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Kent’s median household income of $42,524 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kent 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.