Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lake City, FL (2026)
Lake City, Florida has a population of about 12,404. The city’s median household income is $51,175 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 22 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Lake City, with tuition ranging from $2,563 to $14,353 per year for indexed programs. In Florida, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $83,130 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Lake City
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 22 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Lake City. Distances are calculated from Lake City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | 4.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | 37.4 mi | $2,563 - $14,353 | – |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Florida-Online | Gainesville, FL | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | ✓ |
| North Florida College | Madison, FL | 50.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 51.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Edward Waters University | Jacksonville, FL | 58.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 59.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | 59.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 63.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Lake City
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Florida, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,210 |
| Management Analyst | $83,130 |
| Technical Writer | $80,840 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,720 |
| Editor | $64,380 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,010 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,960 |
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.
Lake City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,404 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,175 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Columbia County | 22 workers, 7 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lake City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Gainesville, FL – 39.5 mi away (198,702 pop)
- Jacksonville, FL – 58.8 mi away (1,141,459 pop)
- Valdosta, GA – 59.2 mi away (79,844 pop)
- Palatka, FL – 69.8 mi away (23,740 pop)
- Waycross, GA – 72.7 mi away (24,741 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Lake City, FL?
Our directory has 22 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Lake City. The closest is Florida Gateway College in Lake City, FL (4.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jacksonville University (63.2 miles). 1 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Florida?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Florida are: Management Analyst ($83,130), Technical Writer ($80,840), Training and Development Specialist ($65,010). Wages for Lake City workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Gainesville instead of Lake City?
Gainesville, FL is 39.5 miles from Lake City 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 Lake City an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Lake City’s median household income of $51,175 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lake City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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
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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