Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Wausau, WI (2026)
Wausau, Wisconsin has a population of about 39,893. The city’s median household income is $61,877 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Wausau. In the Wausau, WI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $101,690 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Wausau
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 14 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Wausau. Distances are calculated from Wausau city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northcentral Technical College | Wausau, WI | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Stevens Point, WI | 30.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 40.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nicolet Area Technical College | Rhinelander, WI | 46.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Menominee Nation | Keshena, WI | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | 74.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lawrence University | Appleton, WI | 78.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | 81.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | 84.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Norbert College | De Pere, WI | 85.2 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 Wausau
Wausau is part of the Wausau, WI metro area (BLS area code 48140). 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 | $62,230 | Wausau, WI | $67,131 |
| Management Analyst | $101,690 | Wausau, WI | $109,698 |
| Technical Writer | $76,090 | WI statewide | $82,082 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $52,670 | WI statewide | $56,818 |
| Editor | $58,940 | WI statewide | $63,581 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $73,220 | Wausau, WI | $78,986 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,840 | Wausau, WI | $72,104 |
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.
Wausau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,893 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,877 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Wausau-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Stevens Point, WI – 30.6 mi away (43,735 pop)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI – 40.3 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Appleton, WI – 77.7 mi away (221,379 pop)
- Neenah, WI – 79.5 mi away (25,914 pop)
- Oshkosh, WI – 83.9 mi away (75,057 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Wausau, WI?
Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Wausau. The closest is Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, WI (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Norbert College (85.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Wausau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Wausau are: Management Analyst ($101,690), Technical Writer ($76,090), Training and Development Specialist ($73,220). 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 Stevens Point instead of Wausau?
Stevens Point, WI is 30.6 miles from Wausau 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 Wausau an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Wausau’s median household income of $61,877 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wausau 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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