Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Belvidere, IL (2026)
Belvidere, Illinois has a population of about 24,510. The city’s median household income is $62,462 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Belvidere, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $46,548 per year. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $95,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Belvidere
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Belvidere city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit College | Beloit, WI | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 32.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 38.0 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 51.4 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 52.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Belvidere
Belvidere is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $50,760 | Rockford, IL | $55,054 |
| Management Analyst | $95,730 | Rockford, IL | $103,829 |
| Technical Writer | $79,690 | IL statewide | $86,432 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,600 | IL statewide | $61,388 |
| Editor | $57,130 | Rockford, IL | $61,963 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $53,340 | Rockford, IL | $57,852 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,830 | Rockford, IL | $68,145 |
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.
Belvidere at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,462 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Belvidere-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Loves Park, IL – 8.8 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Rockford, IL – 10.2 mi away (286,727 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 11.3 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 20.1 mi away (63,470 pop)
- Woodstock, IL – 22.3 mi away (25,628 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Belvidere, IL?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Belvidere. The closest is Beloit College in Beloit, WI (19.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lake Forest College (52.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Belvidere?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Belvidere are: Management Analyst ($95,730), Technical Writer ($79,690), Human Resources Specialist ($62,830). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Loves Park instead of Belvidere?
Loves Park, IL is 8.8 miles from Belvidere 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 Belvidere an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Belvidere’s median household income of $62,462 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Belvidere while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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 Illinois
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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