Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Wauwatosa, WI (2026)
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin has a population of about 47,718. The city’s median household income is $93,859 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 61.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Wauwatosa. In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $105,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Wauwatosa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Wauwatosa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | 7.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 57.2 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 Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa is part of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area (BLS area code 33340). 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 | $63,350 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,377 |
| Management Analyst | $105,180 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $108,545 |
| Technical Writer | $78,560 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $81,073 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,950 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,868 |
| Editor | $60,280 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $62,208 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $67,140 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $69,288 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,180 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $69,329 |
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.
Wauwatosa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,718 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,859 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 61.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Milwaukee County | 5,250 workers, 133 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wauwatosa-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Milwaukee, WI – 3.4 mi away (1,377,104 pop)
- West Allis, WI – 3.8 mi away (60,087 pop)
- Brookfield, WI – 4.5 mi away (38,016 pop)
- Greenfield, WI – 7.1 mi away (36,858 pop)
- Menomonee Falls, WI – 7.5 mi away (36,769 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Wauwatosa, WI?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Wauwatosa. The closest is Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI (5.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lake Forest College (57.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Wauwatosa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Wauwatosa are: Management Analyst ($105,180), Technical Writer ($78,560), Human Resources Specialist ($67,180). 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 Milwaukee instead of Wauwatosa?
Milwaukee, WI is 3.4 miles from Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Wauwatosa’s median household income of $93,859 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wauwatosa 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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