Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Erie, PA (2026)
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,156. The city’s median household income is $43,397 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Erie, with tuition ranging from $10,791 to $51,346 per year. In the Erie, PA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $84,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Erie
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Erie city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiel College | Greenville, PA | 51.5 mi | $36,864 - $51,346 | – |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | 75.8 mi | $10,791 - $20,028 | – |
| Trocaire College | Buffalo, NY | 81.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | 81.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SUNY Buffalo State University | Buffalo, NY | 82.7 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 Erie
Erie is part of the Erie, PA metro area (BLS area code 21500). 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 | $51,970 | Erie, PA | $57,110 |
| Management Analyst | $84,990 | Erie, PA | $93,396 |
| Technical Writer | $78,970 | PA statewide | $86,780 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,240 | Erie, PA | $54,110 |
| Editor | $62,340 | Erie, PA | $68,505 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $60,470 | Erie, PA | $66,451 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $60,280 | Erie, PA | $66,242 |
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.
Erie at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Erie County | 459 workers, 31 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Erie-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Meadville, PA – 32.6 mi away (23,131 pop)
- Ashtabula, OH – 40.7 mi away (28,097 pop)
- Jamestown, NY – 42.9 mi away (41,492 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 45.4 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Mentor, OH – 71.3 mi away (46,732 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Erie, PA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Erie. The closest is Thiel College in Greenville, PA (51.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is SUNY Buffalo State University (82.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Erie?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Erie are: Management Analyst ($84,990), Technical Writer ($78,970), Editor ($62,340). 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 Meadville instead of Erie?
Meadville, PA is 32.6 miles from Erie 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 Erie an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Erie’s median household income of $43,397 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Erie 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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