Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bella Vista, AR (2026)
Bella Vista, Arkansas has a population of about 30,935. The city’s median household income is $85,932 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bella Vista, with tuition ranging from $9,024 to $24,022 per year. In the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $89,450 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Bella Vista
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Bella Vista city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin, MO | 44.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield, MO | 74.7 mi | $9,024 - $24,022 | – |
| Oral Roberts University | Tulsa, OK | 99.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Bella Vista
Bella Vista is part of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area (BLS area code 22220). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $83,040 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $90,853 |
| Management Analyst | $89,450 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $97,867 |
| Technical Writer | $62,490 | AR statewide | $68,370 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $34,230 | AR statewide | $37,451 |
| Editor | $45,200 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $49,453 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,230 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $62,615 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $57,440 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $62,845 |
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.
Bella Vista at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,935 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,932 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Benton County | 928 workers, 35 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bella Vista-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Bentonville, AR – 7.9 mi away (47,093 pop)
- Rogers, AR – 12.3 mi away (65,021 pop)
- Springdale, AR – 20.2 mi away (78,557 pop)
- Siloam Springs, AR – 24.4 mi away (21,136 pop)
- Fayetteville, AR – 27.9 mi away (336,152 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Bella Vista, AR?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bella Vista. The closest is Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO (44.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Oral Roberts University (99.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bella Vista?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bella Vista are: Management Analyst ($89,450), Public Relations Specialist ($83,040), Technical Writer ($62,490). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Bentonville instead of Bella Vista?
Bentonville, AR is 7.9 miles from Bella Vista 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 Bella Vista an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bella Vista’s median household income of $85,932 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bella Vista while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Arkansas (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Arkansas (2026)