Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Altoona, PA (2026)
Altoona, Pennsylvania has a population of about 43,508. The city’s median household income is $50,171 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Altoona, with tuition ranging from $13,544 to $29,480 per year. In the Altoona, PA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $86,940 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Altoona
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Altoona city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg, PA | 55.7 mi | $13,544 - $29,480 | – |
| Dickinson College | Carlisle, PA | 66.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 81.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Altoona
Altoona is part of the Altoona, PA metro area (BLS area code 11020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $53,200 | Altoona, PA | $59,441 |
| Management Analyst | $86,940 | Altoona, PA | $97,140 |
| Technical Writer | $78,970 | PA statewide | $88,235 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Editor | $63,790 | PA statewide | $71,274 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,800 | Altoona, PA | $64,581 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,020 | Altoona, PA | $69,296 |
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.
Altoona at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,508 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,171 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Blair County | 185 workers, 17 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Altoona-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Johnstown, PA – 30.0 mi away (64,842 pop)
- State College, PA – 34.6 mi away (87,374 pop)
- Indiana, PA – 40.4 mi away (28,820 pop)
- Lewistown, PA – 43.9 mi away (21,854 pop)
- Chambersburg, PA – 56.0 mi away (51,948 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Altoona, PA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Altoona. The closest is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in University Park, PA (35.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Carnegie Mellon University (81.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Altoona?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Altoona are: Management Analyst ($86,940), Technical Writer ($78,970), Editor ($63,790). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnstown instead of Altoona?
Johnstown, PA is 30.0 miles from Altoona 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 Altoona an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Altoona’s median household income of $50,171 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Altoona while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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
- Online Liberal Arts Programs in Pennsylvania
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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