Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Willoughby, OH (2026)
Willoughby, Ohio has a population of about 23,934. The city’s median household income is $70,884 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Willoughby, with tuition ranging from $10,791 to $51,346 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 Willoughby
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Willoughby city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OH | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 34.4 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | 54.2 mi | $10,791 - $20,028 | – |
| Thiel College | Greenville, PA | 55.5 mi | $36,864 - $51,346 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Willoughby
Willoughby 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.
Willoughby at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,934 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,884 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Willoughby-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Mentor, OH – 4.8 mi away (46,732 pop)
- Euclid, OH – 6.9 mi away (47,360 pop)
- South Euclid, OH – 10.4 mi away (21,658 pop)
- Cleveland Heights, OH – 12.3 mi away (44,633 pop)
- Shaker Heights, OH – 13.9 mi away (27,448 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Willoughby, OH?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Willoughby. The closest is Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH (14.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Thiel College (55.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Willoughby?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Willoughby 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 Mentor instead of Willoughby?
Mentor, OH is 4.8 miles from Willoughby 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 Willoughby an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Willoughby’s median household income of $70,884 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Willoughby 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.