Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Crest Hill, IL (2026)
Crest Hill, Illinois has a population of about 19,754. The city’s median household income is $71,408 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Crest Hill, with tuition ranging from $3,432 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 Crest Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Crest Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 14.2 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 23.6 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 40.0 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 Crest Hill
Crest Hill 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.
Crest Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,754 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,408 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Crest Hill-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Joliet, IL – 4.1 mi away (148,262 pop)
- Romeoville, IL – 4.1 mi away (39,706 pop)
- Lockport, IL – 4.5 mi away (25,231 pop)
- Plainfield, IL – 6.7 mi away (42,933 pop)
- Bolingbrook, IL – 8.2 mi away (74,518 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Crest Hill, IL?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Crest Hill. The closest is Benedictine University in Lisle, IL (14.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwestern University (40.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Crest Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Crest Hill 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 Joliet instead of Crest Hill?
Joliet, IL is 4.1 miles from Crest Hill 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 Crest Hill an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Crest Hill’s median household income of $71,408 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Crest Hill 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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