Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Brea, CA (2026)
Brea, California has a population of about 47,337. The city’s median household income is $124,837 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Brea, with tuition ranging from $1,180 to $81,196 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 Brea
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Brea city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 8.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona, CA | 9.9 mi | $7,439 - $22,672 | – |
| Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | 11.7 mi | $1,180 - $11,848 | – |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 14.8 mi | $62,326 - $81,196 | – |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 15.2 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 Brea
Brea 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.
Brea at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,337 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $124,837 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.2% | 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 Brea-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Placentia, CA – 3.1 mi away (52,228 pop)
- Fullerton, CA – 4.6 mi away (140,721 pop)
- La Habra, CA – 4.9 mi away (61,664 pop)
- Diamond Bar, CA – 5.8 mi away (56,793 pop)
- Yorba Linda, CA – 6.0 mi away (68,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Brea, CA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Brea. The closest is Biola University in La Mirada, CA (8.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Scripps College (15.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Brea?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Brea 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 Brea?
Placentia, CA is 3.1 miles from Brea 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 Brea an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Brea’s median household income of $124,837 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Brea 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
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in California (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in California (2026)