Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Decatur, IL (2026)
Decatur, Illinois has a population of about 70,368. The city’s median household income is $50,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 31 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Decatur, with tuition ranging from $16,004 to $68,399 per year for indexed programs. In the Decatur, IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $92,080 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Decatur
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 31 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Decatur. Distances are calculated from Decatur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millikin University | Decatur, IL | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Christian University | Lincoln, IL | 29.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, IL | 37.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 39.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 41.1 mi | $16,004 - $34,501 | – |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 42.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | 43.9 mi | $55,704 - $68,399 | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 45.3 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 Decatur
Decatur is part of the Decatur, IL metro area (BLS area code 19500). 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 | $63,590 | IL statewide | $71,934 |
| Management Analyst | $92,080 | Decatur, IL | $104,163 |
| Technical Writer | $79,690 | IL statewide | $90,147 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,600 | IL statewide | $64,027 |
| Editor | $68,050 | IL statewide | $76,980 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $35,680 | Decatur, IL | $40,362 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,820 | Decatur, IL | $71,063 |
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.
Decatur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,368 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Decatur-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Springfield, IL – 38.7 mi away (160,570 pop)
- Champaign, IL – 39.3 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Urbana, IL – 42.8 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 42.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Normal, IL – 46.1 mi away (54,264 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Decatur, IL?
Our directory has 31 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Decatur. The closest is Millikin University in Decatur, IL (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Illinois State University (45.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Decatur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Decatur are: Management Analyst ($92,080), Technical Writer ($79,690), Editor ($68,050). 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 Springfield instead of Decatur?
Springfield, IL is 38.7 miles from Decatur 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 Decatur an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Decatur’s median household income of $50,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Decatur 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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