Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Chicago, IL (2026)
Chicago, Illinois has a population of about 2,707,648. The city’s median household income is $75,134 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Chicago, with tuition ranging from $34,290 to $46,548 per year. 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 Chicago
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Chicago city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 14.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 21.6 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 29.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 35.0 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 Chicago
Chicago 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.
Chicago at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $75,134 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.3% | 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 Cook County | 18,707 workers, 1,168 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chicago-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Cicero, IL – 3.8 mi away (82,992 pop)
- Berwyn, IL – 5.4 mi away (55,748 pop)
- Oak Park, IL – 6.4 mi away (51,774 pop)
- Burbank, IL – 7.7 mi away (28,886 pop)
- Maywood, IL – 8.6 mi away (23,756 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Chicago, IL?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Chicago. The closest is University of Chicago in Chicago, IL (5.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Elgin Community College (35.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Chicago?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Chicago 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 Cicero instead of Chicago?
Cicero, IL is 3.8 miles from Chicago 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 Chicago an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Chicago’s median household income of $75,134 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chicago 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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