Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Van Buren, AR (2026)
Van Buren, Arkansas has a population of about 23,545. The city’s median household income is $59,420 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Van Buren, with tuition ranging from $9,748 to $30,407 per year for indexed programs. In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $74,490 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Van Buren
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 23 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Van Buren. Distances are calculated from Van Buren city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carl Albert State College | Poteau, OK | 32.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 44.1 mi | $9,748 - $28,772 | – |
| Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK | 47.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 49.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 52.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ecclesia College | Springdale, AR | 53.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Connors State College | Warner, OK | 54.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bacone College | Muskogee, OK | 59.6 mi | $15,060 - $30,407 | – |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | Mena, AR | 59.7 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 Van Buren
Van Buren is part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area (BLS area code 22900). 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 | $52,240 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $60,815 |
| Management Analyst | $74,490 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $86,717 |
| Technical Writer | $62,490 | AR statewide | $72,747 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $34,230 | AR statewide | $39,849 |
| Editor | $44,690 | AR statewide | $52,026 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $51,490 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $59,942 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $48,020 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $55,902 |
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.
Van Buren at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,545 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,420 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Van Buren-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Fort Smith, AR – 6.9 mi away (125,699 pop)
- Fayetteville, AR – 44.3 mi away (336,152 pop)
- Siloam Springs, AR – 51.8 mi away (21,136 pop)
- Springdale, AR – 52.4 mi away (78,557 pop)
- Muskogee, OK – 60.0 mi away (41,117 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Van Buren, AR?
Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Van Buren. The closest is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR (4.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain (59.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Van Buren?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Van Buren are: Management Analyst ($74,490), Technical Writer ($62,490), Public Relations Specialist ($52,240). 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 Fort Smith instead of Van Buren?
Fort Smith, AR is 6.9 miles from Van Buren 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 Van Buren an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Van Buren’s median household income of $59,420 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Van Buren 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
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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