Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Santa Paula, CA (2026)
Santa Paula, California has a population of about 31,202. The city’s median household income is $77,130 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Santa Paula, with tuition ranging from $7,008 to $20,310 per year. In the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $102,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Santa Paula
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Paula city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Channel Islands | Camarillo, CA | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | Los Angeles, CA | 38.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 50.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | 56.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | 67.2 mi | $7,008 - $20,310 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Santa Paula
Santa Paula is part of the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area (BLS area code 37100). 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 | $78,940 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $71,439 |
| Management Analyst | $102,730 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $92,968 |
| Technical Writer | $90,020 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $81,466 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $84,830 | CA statewide | $76,769 |
| Editor | $75,380 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $68,217 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,860 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $52,362 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,910 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $71,412 |
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.
Santa Paula at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,202 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,130 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 110.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Ventura County | 1,027 workers, 420 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Santa Paula-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Camarillo, CA – 9.2 mi away (74,152 pop)
- Moorpark, CA – 11.9 mi away (36,481 pop)
- Oxnard, CA – 12.5 mi away (385,837 pop)
- Port Hueneme, CA – 15.2 mi away (22,277 pop)
- Thousand Oaks, CA – 15.7 mi away (218,548 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Santa Paula, CA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Santa Paula. The closest is California State University-Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA (12.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State University-Long Beach (67.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Santa Paula?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Santa Paula are: Management Analyst ($102,730), Technical Writer ($90,020), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($84,830). 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 Camarillo instead of Santa Paula?
Camarillo, CA is 9.2 miles from Santa Paula 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 Santa Paula an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Santa Paula’s median household income of $77,130 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Paula 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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