Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Oakdale, CA (2026)
Oakdale, California has a population of about 23,155. The city’s median household income is $86,478 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 76 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Oakdale, with tuition ranging from $1,168 to $20,286 per year for indexed programs. In California, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $100,440 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Oakdale
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 76 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Oakdale. Distances are calculated from Oakdale city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 11.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 30.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses | Stockton, CA | 30.9 mi | $14,760 - $20,286 | – |
| Columbia College | Sonora, CA | 31.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 35.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | 35.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Las Positas College | Livermore, CA | 52.3 mi | $1,168 - $14,810 | – |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | 57.1 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 Oakdale
Oakdale is part of the Modesto, CA metro area (BLS area code 33700). 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 | $68,560 | Modesto, CA | $65,860 |
| Management Analyst | $97,410 | Modesto, CA | $93,573 |
| Technical Writer | $100,440 | CA statewide | $96,484 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $84,830 | CA statewide | $81,489 |
| Editor | $90,570 | CA statewide | $87,003 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $69,250 | Modesto, CA | $66,523 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,500 | Modesto, CA | $72,526 |
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.
Oakdale at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,155 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $86,478 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Stanislaus County | 368 workers, 38 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oakdale-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Riverbank, CA – 5.7 mi away (24,389 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 12.2 mi away (377,755 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 13.1 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 17.7 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Manteca, CA – 20.9 mi away (95,797 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Oakdale, CA?
Our directory has 76 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Oakdale. The closest is Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA (11.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Cosumnes River College (57.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Oakdale?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Oakdale are: Technical Writer ($100,440), Management Analyst ($97,410), 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 Riverbank instead of Oakdale?
Riverbank, CA is 5.7 miles from Oakdale 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 Oakdale an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Oakdale’s median household income of $86,478 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oakdale 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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