Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
Bakersfield, California has a population of about 408,366. The city’s median household income is $77,397 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bakersfield. In the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $98,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Bakersfield
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Bakersfield city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Channel Islands | Camarillo, CA | 81.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | Los Angeles, CA | 93.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | 98.8 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 Bakersfield
Bakersfield is part of the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area (BLS area code 12540). 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 | $69,640 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $69,019 |
| Management Analyst | $98,780 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $97,899 |
| Technical Writer | $80,140 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,425 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $84,830 | CA statewide | $84,073 |
| Editor | $59,710 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $59,177 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $53,500 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $53,023 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,720 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $74,054 |
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.
Bakersfield at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Kern County | 770 workers, 54 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bakersfield-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Shafter, CA – 12.6 mi away (20,183 pop)
- Arvin, CA – 15.9 mi away (21,380 pop)
- Wasco, CA – 25.0 mi away (26,337 pop)
- Delano, CA – 31.4 mi away (54,030 pop)
- Porterville, CA – 49.1 mi away (76,512 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Bakersfield, CA?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bakersfield. The closest is California State University-Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA (81.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California Institute of Technology (98.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bakersfield?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bakersfield are: Management Analyst ($98,780), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($84,830), Technical Writer ($80,140). 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 Shafter instead of Bakersfield?
Shafter, CA is 12.6 miles from Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bakersfield’s median household income of $77,397 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bakersfield 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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