Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Colton, CA (2026)
Colton, California has a population of about 53,798. The city’s median household income is $69,581 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 120 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Colton, with tuition ranging from $1,420 to $70,233 per year for indexed programs. In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $92,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Colton
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 120 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Colton. Distances are calculated from Colton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino Valley College | San Bernardino, CA | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda, CA | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Riverside | Riverside, CA | 5.6 mi | $14,170 - $44,947 | – |
| Community Christian College | Redlands, CA | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | 6.6 mi | $1,420 - $12,427 | – |
| California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | 8.9 mi | $7,675 - $19,555 | – |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 9.3 mi | $57,614 - $70,233 | – |
| California Baptist University | Riverside, CA | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Crafton Hills College | Yucaipa, CA | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moreno Valley College | Moreno Valley, CA | 13.5 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 Colton
Colton is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (BLS area code 40140). 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 | $73,740 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $69,305 |
| Management Analyst | $92,680 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $87,105 |
| Technical Writer | $81,920 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $76,992 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $62,610 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,844 |
| Editor | $66,040 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,068 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $56,160 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $52,782 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,390 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $68,976 |
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.
Colton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,798 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,581 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in San Bernardino County | 1,774 workers, 224 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Colton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Loma Linda, CA – 4.3 mi away (24,129 pop)
- Rialto, CA – 5.4 mi away (103,314 pop)
- San Bernardino, CA – 6.3 mi away (216,239 pop)
- Fontana, CA – 8.2 mi away (209,665 pop)
- Redlands, CA – 8.8 mi away (71,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Colton, CA?
Our directory has 120 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Colton. The closest is San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, CA (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Moreno Valley College (13.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Colton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Colton are: Management Analyst ($92,680), Technical Writer ($81,920), Public Relations Specialist ($73,740). 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 Loma Linda instead of Colton?
Loma Linda, CA is 4.3 miles from Colton 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 Colton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Colton’s median household income of $69,581 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Colton 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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