Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Arcadia, CA (2026)
Arcadia, California has a population of about 55,550. The city’s median household income is $116,142 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 113 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Arcadia, with tuition ranging from $1,180 to $19,308 per year for indexed programs. 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 Arcadia
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 113 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Arcadia. Distances are calculated from Arcadia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA | 4.7 mi | $1,180 - $12,166 | – |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Providence Christian College | Pasadena, CA | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the West | Rosemead, CA | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saybrook University | Pasadena, CA | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,388 - $19,308 | – |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Citrus College | Glendora, CA | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 8.9 mi | $6,813 - $18,698 | – |
| East Los Angeles College | Monterey Park, CA | 9.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Arcadia
Arcadia 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.
Arcadia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,550 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $116,142 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.8% | 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 Los Angeles County | 56,719 workers, 18,615 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Arcadia-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Temple City, CA – 2.5 mi away (36,365 pop)
- Monrovia, CA – 3.3 mi away (37,126 pop)
- El Monte, CA – 4.2 mi away (115,807 pop)
- San Gabriel, CA – 4.5 mi away (40,404 pop)
- Baldwin Park, CA – 5.1 mi away (76,464 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Arcadia, CA?
Our directory has 113 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Arcadia. The closest is Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is East Los Angeles College (9.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Arcadia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Arcadia 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 Temple City instead of Arcadia?
Temple City, CA is 2.5 miles from Arcadia 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 Arcadia an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Arcadia’s median household income of $116,142 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Arcadia 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
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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