Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Burlington, VT (2026)
Burlington, Vermont has a population of about 44,649. The city’s median household income is $68,854 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 60.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Burlington. In the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $112,320 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Burlington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Burlington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain College | Burlington, VT | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SUNY College at Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh, NY | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Norwich University | Northfield, VT | 37.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clarkson University | Potsdam, NY | 87.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Vermont schools on the Vermont liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Burlington
Burlington is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area (BLS area code 15540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Vermont statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,960 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $59,425 |
| Management Analyst | $112,320 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $111,318 |
| Technical Writer | $83,940 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $83,191 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $50,520 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $50,069 |
| Editor | $69,990 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $69,366 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $66,560 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $65,966 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,610 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $77,909 |
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.
Burlington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $68,854 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 60.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Chittenden County | 589 workers, 64 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Burlington-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Plattsburgh, NY – 18.1 mi away (29,130 pop)
- Barre, VT – 40.9 mi away (20,857 pop)
- Lebanon, NH – 76.3 mi away (26,396 pop)
- Glens Falls, NY – 83.9 mi away (63,793 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Burlington, VT?
Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Burlington. The closest is Champlain College in Burlington, VT (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clarkson University (87.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Burlington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Burlington are: Management Analyst ($112,320), Technical Writer ($83,940), Human Resources Specialist ($78,610). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Vermont statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Plattsburgh instead of Burlington?
Plattsburgh, NY is 18.1 miles from Burlington 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 Burlington an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Burlington’s median household income of $68,854 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Burlington while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Vermont 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
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