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. Our directory has 97 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Belvidere, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $14,661 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 97 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Belvidere. Distances are calculated from Belvidere city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 8.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beloit College | Beloit, WI | 19.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 21.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 25.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 32.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 32.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 37.9 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
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 schools are near Belvidere, IL?
Our directory has 97 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Belvidere. The closest is Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL (7.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Waubonsee Community College (37.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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
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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