Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Wilkes-Barre, PA (2026)
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has a population of about 44,217. The city’s median household income is $47,970 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Wilkes-Barre city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna College | Scranton, PA | 16.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Keystone College | La Plume, PA | 22.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moravian University | Bethlehem, PA | 49.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | 51.2 mi | $62,180 - $77,515 | – |
| Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | 58.8 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 Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,217 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,970 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Wilkes-Barre-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Scranton, PA – 15.4 mi away (387,448 pop)
- Hazleton, PA – 21.1 mi away (55,301 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 28.3 mi away (23,308 pop)
- Bloomsburg, PA – 34.6 mi away (52,637 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 40.1 mi away (56,230 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Wilkes-Barre. The closest is Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA (16.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Binghamton University (58.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Wilkes-Barre?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Wilkes-Barre 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 Scranton instead of Wilkes-Barre?
Scranton, PA is 15.4 miles from Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Wilkes-Barre’s median household income of $47,970 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wilkes-Barre 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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