Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Springfield, OH (2026)
Springfield, Ohio has a population of about 58,410. The city’s median household income is $45,883 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 71 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Springfield, with tuition ranging from $11,188 to $56,353 per year for indexed programs. In the Springfield, OH metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $93,190 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Springfield
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 71 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Springfield. Distances are calculated from Springfield city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wittenberg University | Springfield, OH | 1.1 mi | $44,602 - $56,353 | – |
| Clark State College | Springfield, OH | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Antioch College | Yellow Springs, OH | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Antioch University | Yellow Springs, OH | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cedarville University | Cedarville, OH | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central State University | Wilberforce, OH | 15.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wilberforce University | Wilberforce, OH | 16.1 mi | $14,776 - $23,450 | – |
| Wright State University-Main Campus | Dayton, OH | 17.6 mi | $11,188 - $23,255 | – |
| Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management | Wright-Patterson AFB, OH | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | 24.1 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 Springfield
Springfield is part of the Springfield, OH metro area (BLS area code 44220). 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 | $62,560 | OH statewide | $69,127 |
| Management Analyst | $93,190 | Springfield, OH | $102,972 |
| Technical Writer | $70,640 | OH statewide | $78,055 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $36,470 | OH statewide | $40,298 |
| Editor | $61,330 | OH statewide | $67,768 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,290 | Springfield, OH | $67,724 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $58,600 | Springfield, OH | $64,751 |
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.
Springfield at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,410 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,883 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Clark County | 114 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Springfield-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Fairborn, OH – 14.5 mi away (33,780 pop)
- Huber Heights, OH – 17.5 mi away (38,019 pop)
- Xenia, OH – 18.8 mi away (26,238 pop)
- Beavercreek, OH – 19.7 mi away (46,376 pop)
- Riverside, OH – 20.0 mi away (24,981 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Springfield, OH?
Our directory has 71 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Springfield. The closest is Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Dayton (24.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Springfield?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Springfield are: Management Analyst ($93,190), Technical Writer ($70,640), Public Relations Specialist ($62,560). 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 Fairborn instead of Springfield?
Fairborn, OH is 14.5 miles from Springfield 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 Springfield an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Springfield’s median household income of $45,883 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Springfield 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.