Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Eau Claire, WI (2026)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin has a population of about 69,274. The city’s median household income is $65,369 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Eau Claire. In the Eau Claire, WI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $98,750 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Eau Claire
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Eau Claire city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | 54.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Viterbo University | La Crosse, WI | 71.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Century College | White Bear Lake, MN | 74.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 76.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 81.8 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 Eau Claire
Eau Claire is part of the Eau Claire, WI metro area (BLS area code 20740). 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 | $60,510 | Eau Claire, WI | $65,205 |
| Management Analyst | $98,750 | Eau Claire, WI | $106,412 |
| Technical Writer | $76,090 | WI statewide | $81,994 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $52,670 | WI statewide | $56,756 |
| Editor | $55,690 | Eau Claire, WI | $60,011 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $59,200 | Eau Claire, WI | $63,793 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,500 | Eau Claire, WI | $69,504 |
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.
Eau Claire at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Eau Claire-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Winona, MN – 53.8 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Hudson, WI – 61.4 mi away (24,001 pop)
- Hastings, MN – 66.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- La Crosse, WI – 70.1 mi away (102,427 pop)
- Woodbury, MN – 70.2 mi away (68,820 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Eau Claire, WI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Eau Claire. The closest is Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, MN (54.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concordia University-Saint Paul (81.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Eau Claire?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Eau Claire are: Management Analyst ($98,750), Technical Writer ($76,090), Human Resources Specialist ($64,500). 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 Winona instead of Eau Claire?
Winona, MN is 53.8 miles from Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Eau Claire’s median household income of $65,369 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Eau Claire 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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