Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Carol Stream, IL (2026)
Carol Stream, Illinois has a population of about 39,427. The city’s median household income is $105,395 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 96 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Carol Stream, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $56,447 per year for indexed programs. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $120,140 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Carol Stream
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 96 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Carol Stream. Distances are calculated from Carol Stream city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 3.7 mi | $43,930 - $56,447 | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 6.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Baptist Theological Seminary | Lisle, IL | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 9.9 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 11.7 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 14.9 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Carol Stream
Carol Stream is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). 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 | $63,910 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,689 |
| Management Analyst | $120,140 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,965 |
| Technical Writer | $80,240 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,452 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,850 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,736 |
| Editor | $71,600 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $69,112 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,030 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,770 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,610 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,983 |
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.
Carol Stream at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,427 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $105,395 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in DuPage County | 1,390 workers, 175 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Carol Stream-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Glendale Heights, IL – 2.7 mi away (34,145 pop)
- Bloomingdale, IL – 3.0 mi away (22,075 pop)
- Hanover Park, IL – 4.5 mi away (38,044 pop)
- Wheaton, IL – 4.5 mi away (53,389 pop)
- Roselle, IL – 4.9 mi away (22,814 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Carol Stream, IL?
Our directory has 96 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Carol Stream. The closest is Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Triton College (14.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Carol Stream?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Carol Stream are: Management Analyst ($120,140), Technical Writer ($80,240), Human Resources Specialist ($75,610). 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 Glendale Heights instead of Carol Stream?
Glendale Heights, IL is 2.7 miles from Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Carol Stream’s median household income of $105,395 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Carol Stream 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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