Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Montclair, CA (2026)
Montclair, California has a population of about 37,809. The city’s median household income is $76,338 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Montclair, with tuition ranging from $62,326 to $84,896 per year. 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 Montclair
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Montclair city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 2.1 mi | $62,326 - $81,196 | – |
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pitzer College | Claremont, CA | 2.3 mi | $62,692 - $82,832 | – |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 2.4 mi | $66,255 - $84,896 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Montclair
Montclair 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.
Montclair at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,338 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.8% | 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 Montclair-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Pomona, CA – 3.8 mi away (152,494 pop)
- Upland, CA – 3.9 mi away (76,684 pop)
- Claremont, CA – 3.9 mi away (36,059 pop)
- La Verne, CA – 5.4 mi away (32,389 pop)
- Ontario, CA – 5.7 mi away (173,212 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Montclair, CA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Montclair. The closest is Pomona College in Claremont, CA (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Harvey Mudd College (2.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Montclair?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Montclair 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 Pomona instead of Montclair?
Pomona, CA is 3.8 miles from Montclair 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 Montclair an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Montclair’s median household income of $76,338 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Montclair 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)