Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lima, OH (2026)
Lima, Ohio has a population of about 35,304. The city’s median household income is $43,370 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Lima, with tuition ranging from $7,504 to $17,116 per year for indexed programs. In the Lima, OH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $80,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Lima
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 72 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Lima. Distances are calculated from Lima city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima, OH | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| James A. Rhodes State College | Lima, OH | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohio State University-Lima Campus | Lima, OH | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohio Northern University | Ada, OH | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bluffton University | Bluffton, OH | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wright State University-Lake Campus | Celina, OH | 24.8 mi | $7,504 - $17,116 | – |
| The University of Findlay | Findlay, OH | 32.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Defiance College | Defiance, OH | 40.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Edison State Community College | Piqua, OH | 40.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest State Community College | Archbold, OH | 50.0 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 Lima
Lima is part of the Lima, OH metro area (BLS area code 30620). 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 | $52,030 | Lima, OH | $58,004 |
| Management Analyst | $80,730 | Lima, OH | $90,000 |
| Technical Writer | $70,640 | OH statewide | $78,751 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $36,470 | OH statewide | $40,658 |
| Editor | $61,330 | OH statewide | $68,372 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $58,860 | Lima, OH | $65,619 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $60,600 | Lima, OH | $67,559 |
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.
Lima at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,304 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,370 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lima-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Sidney, OH – 31.3 mi away (21,267 pop)
- Findlay, OH – 32.5 mi away (48,701 pop)
- Piqua, OH – 41.4 mi away (21,498 pop)
- Troy, OH – 48.5 mi away (25,770 pop)
- Bowling Green, OH – 50.1 mi away (32,335 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Lima, OH?
Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Lima. The closest is University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, OH (2.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest State Community College (50.0 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Lima?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Lima are: Management Analyst ($80,730), Technical Writer ($70,640), Editor ($61,330). 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 Sidney instead of Lima?
Sidney, OH is 31.3 miles from Lima 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 Lima an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Lima’s median household income of $43,370 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lima 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.