Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Pawtucket, RI (2026)
Pawtucket, Rhode Island has a population of about 75,280. The city’s median household income is $67,436 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Pawtucket, with tuition ranging from $15,208 to $31,750 per year. In the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $100,580 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Pawtucket
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Pawtucket city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | 12.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA | 16.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | 26.4 mi | $15,208 - $31,750 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Rhode Island schools on the Rhode Island liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Pawtucket
Pawtucket is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Rhode Island statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $71,840 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $70,570 |
| Management Analyst | $93,320 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $91,670 |
| Technical Writer | $100,580 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $98,802 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $58,690 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $57,652 |
| Editor | $63,990 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $62,859 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $68,750 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $67,534 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,110 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $69,853 |
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.
Pawtucket at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,280 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,436 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Providence County | 1,401 workers, 132 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Pawtucket-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Providence, RI – 4.2 mi away (1,198,789 pop)
- East Providence, RI – 4.8 mi away (47,337 pop)
- Attleboro, MA – 5.7 mi away (44,434 pop)
- Cranston, RI – 9.4 mi away (81,034 pop)
- Woonsocket, RI – 10.9 mi away (41,406 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Pawtucket, RI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Pawtucket. The closest is Brown University in Providence, RI (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (26.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Pawtucket?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Pawtucket are: Technical Writer ($100,580), Management Analyst ($93,320), Public Relations Specialist ($71,840). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Rhode Island statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Providence instead of Pawtucket?
Providence, RI is 4.2 miles from Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Pawtucket’s median household income of $67,436 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pawtucket while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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