Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Appleton, WI (2026)
Appleton, Wisconsin has a population of about 74,873. The city’s median household income is $77,450 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Appleton. In the Appleton, WI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $99,020 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Appleton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Appleton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Stevens Point, WI | 60.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI | 83.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | 86.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 88.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | 88.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Appleton
Appleton is part of the Appleton, WI metro area (BLS area code 11540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,940 | Appleton, WI | $64,870 |
| Management Analyst | $99,020 | Appleton, WI | $107,165 |
| Technical Writer | $76,090 | WI statewide | $82,348 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $52,670 | WI statewide | $57,002 |
| Editor | $58,940 | WI statewide | $63,788 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,200 | Appleton, WI | $67,316 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,370 | Appleton, WI | $70,747 |
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.
Appleton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,873 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,450 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Outagamie County | 545 workers, 24 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Appleton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Neenah, WI – 8.7 mi away (25,914 pop)
- De Pere, WI – 18.6 mi away (24,893 pop)
- Oshkosh, WI – 19.5 mi away (75,057 pop)
- Green Bay, WI – 25.7 mi away (208,670 pop)
- Fond du Lac, WI – 35.0 mi away (54,811 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Appleton, WI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Appleton. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, WI (60.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Marquette University (88.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Appleton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Appleton are: Management Analyst ($99,020), Technical Writer ($76,090), Human Resources Specialist ($65,370). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Neenah instead of Appleton?
Neenah, WI is 8.7 miles from Appleton 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 Appleton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Appleton’s median household income of $77,450 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Appleton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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