Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Anaheim, CA (2026)
Anaheim, California has a population of about 344,553. The city’s median household income is $90,583 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Anaheim, with tuition ranging from $1,180 to $20,310 per year. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $107,470 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Anaheim
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Anaheim city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | 5.9 mi | $1,180 - $11,848 | – |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westcliff University | Irvine, CA | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Massachusetts Global | Irvine, CA | 13.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | 15.2 mi | $7,008 - $20,310 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Anaheim
Anaheim is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,380 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,116 |
| Management Analyst | $107,470 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $94,604 |
| Technical Writer | $100,440 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $88,415 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $89,620 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,891 |
| Editor | $90,570 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,727 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $73,350 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $64,569 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $79,330 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $69,833 |
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.
Anaheim at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Orange County | 7,676 workers, 913 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Anaheim-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Placentia, CA – 2.9 mi away (52,228 pop)
- Orange, CA – 3.2 mi away (140,504 pop)
- Fullerton, CA – 5.1 mi away (140,721 pop)
- Brea, CA – 6.0 mi away (42,471 pop)
- Yorba Linda, CA – 6.0 mi away (68,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Anaheim, CA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Anaheim. The closest is Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, CA (5.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State University-Long Beach (15.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Anaheim?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Anaheim are: Management Analyst ($107,470), Technical Writer ($100,440), Editor ($90,570). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Placentia instead of Anaheim?
Placentia, CA is 2.9 miles from Anaheim 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 Anaheim an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Anaheim’s median household income of $90,583 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Anaheim while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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 California
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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