Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Surprise, AZ (2026)
Surprise, Arizona has a population of about 149,519. The city’s median household income is $93,371 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Surprise. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $90,810 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Surprise
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Surprise city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GateWay Community College-Central City | Phoenix, AZ | 28.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion | Scottsdale, AZ | 31.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | 34.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Surprise
Surprise is part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (BLS area code 38060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arizona statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,350 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $63,262 |
| Management Analyst | $90,810 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $87,909 |
| Technical Writer | $82,110 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $79,487 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,140 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $47,570 |
| Editor | $65,430 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $63,340 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $66,360 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $64,240 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,020 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $63,911 |
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.
Surprise at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,371 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Maricopa County | 13,189 workers, 984 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Surprise-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- El Mirage, AZ – 9.5 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Peoria, AZ – 11.4 mi away (164,173 pop)
- Glendale, AZ – 14.8 mi away (245,895 pop)
- Buckeye, AZ – 20.4 mi away (64,629 pop)
- Avondale, AZ – 21.7 mi away (214,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Surprise, AZ?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Surprise. The closest is GateWay Community College-Central City in Phoenix, AZ (28.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arizona State University Campus Immersion (34.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Surprise?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Surprise are: Management Analyst ($90,810), Technical Writer ($82,110), Training and Development Specialist ($66,360). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arizona statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in El Mirage instead of Surprise?
El Mirage, AZ is 9.5 miles from Surprise 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 Surprise an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Surprise’s median household income of $93,371 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Surprise while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arizona 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
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