Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Scranton, PA (2026)
Scranton, Pennsylvania has a population of about 76,074. The city’s median household income is $49,531 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Scranton, with tuition ranging from $62,180 to $77,515 per year. In the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $89,860 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Scranton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Scranton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna College | Scranton, PA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Keystone College | La Plume, PA | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moravian University | Bethlehem, PA | 55.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | 57.1 mi | $62,180 - $77,515 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Scranton
Scranton is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area (BLS area code 42540). 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 | $48,060 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $51,346 |
| Management Analyst | $89,860 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $96,004 |
| Technical Writer | $64,380 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $68,782 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Editor | $59,100 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $63,141 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $58,180 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $62,158 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $60,340 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $64,466 |
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.
Scranton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,074 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,531 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Lackawanna County | 261 workers, 20 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Scranton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Wilkes-Barre, PA – 15.4 mi away (40,569 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 25.2 mi away (23,308 pop)
- Hazleton, PA – 35.2 mi away (55,301 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 37.6 mi away (56,230 pop)
- Bloomsburg, PA – 49.6 mi away (52,637 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Scranton, PA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Scranton. The closest is Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lehigh University (57.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Scranton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Scranton are: Management Analyst ($89,860), Technical Writer ($64,380), Human Resources Specialist ($60,340). 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 Wilkes-Barre instead of Scranton?
Wilkes-Barre, PA is 15.4 miles from Scranton 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 Scranton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Scranton’s median household income of $49,531 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Scranton 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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