Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Madison, WI (2026)
Madison, Wisconsin has a population of about 275,568. The city’s median household income is $76,983 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Madison. In the Madison, WI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $97,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beloit College | Beloit, WI | 44.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI | 57.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | 73.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 74.4 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 Madison
Madison is part of the Madison, WI metro area (BLS area code 31540). 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 | $73,130 | Madison, WI | $75,159 |
| Management Analyst | $97,680 | Madison, WI | $100,391 |
| Technical Writer | $83,380 | Madison, WI | $85,694 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,430 | Madison, WI | $59,024 |
| Editor | $64,580 | Madison, WI | $66,372 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $77,430 | Madison, WI | $79,579 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,250 | Madison, WI | $77,338 |
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.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,983 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Dane County | 1,557 workers, 96 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Fitchburg, WI – 6.8 mi away (28,875 pop)
- Sun Prairie, WI – 10.6 mi away (32,820 pop)
- Fort Atkinson, WI – 29.7 mi away (21,399 pop)
- Janesville, WI – 33.4 mi away (70,299 pop)
- Watertown, WI – 34.3 mi away (23,304 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Madison, WI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Milwaukee Area Technical College (74.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Madison are: Management Analyst ($97,680), Technical Writer ($83,380), Training and Development Specialist ($77,430). 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 Fitchburg instead of Madison?
Fitchburg, WI is 6.8 miles from Madison 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 Madison an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Madison’s median household income of $76,983 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison 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
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Wisconsin (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Wisconsin (2026)