Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lakewood, OH (2026)
Lakewood, Ohio has a population of about 50,229. The city’s median household income is $65,925 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lakewood, with tuition ranging from $10,791 to $29,345 per year. In the Cleveland, OH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $80,220 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Lakewood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Lakewood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OH | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 33.0 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| Malone University | Canton, OH | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | 65.2 mi | $10,791 - $20,028 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Lakewood
Lakewood is part of the Cleveland, OH metro area (BLS area code 17410). 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 | $64,010 | Cleveland, OH | $68,168 |
| Management Analyst | $80,220 | Cleveland, OH | $85,431 |
| Technical Writer | $64,990 | Cleveland, OH | $69,212 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $36,360 | Cleveland, OH | $38,722 |
| Editor | $61,730 | Cleveland, OH | $65,740 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $69,480 | Cleveland, OH | $73,994 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,530 | Cleveland, OH | $68,722 |
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.
Lakewood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,229 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,925 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Cuyahoga County | 6,017 workers, 249 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lakewood-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Rocky River, OH – 2.8 mi away (20,264 pop)
- Cleveland, OH – 6.2 mi away (1,731,637 pop)
- Parma Heights, OH – 6.9 mi away (20,123 pop)
- Westlake, OH – 7.0 mi away (32,293 pop)
- North Olmsted, OH – 7.7 mi away (31,817 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Lakewood, OH?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lakewood. The closest is Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH (8.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Youngstown State University (65.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Lakewood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Lakewood are: Management Analyst ($80,220), Training and Development Specialist ($69,480), Technical Writer ($64,990). 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 Rocky River instead of Lakewood?
Rocky River, OH is 2.8 miles from Lakewood 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 Lakewood an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Lakewood’s median household income of $65,925 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakewood 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.