Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Jacksonville, IL (2026)
Jacksonville, Illinois has a population of about 17,490. The city’s median household income is $62,615 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 46 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Jacksonville, with tuition ranging from $14,952 to $47,337 per year for indexed programs. In Illinois, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $110,370 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Jacksonville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 46 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Jacksonville. Distances are calculated from Jacksonville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois College | Jacksonville, IL | 0.8 mi | $37,470 - $47,337 | – |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, IL | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 33.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackburn College | Carlinville, IL | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | 53.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Principia College | Elsah, IL | 54.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Christian University | Lincoln, IL | 55.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Spoon River College | Canton, IL | 55.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | 56.4 mi | $14,952 - $27,828 | – |
| John Wood Community College | Quincy, IL | 59.9 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 Jacksonville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Illinois, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,590 |
| Management Analyst | $110,370 |
| Technical Writer | $79,690 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,600 |
| Editor | $68,050 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $63,550 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $72,350 |
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.
Jacksonville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,490 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,615 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Jacksonville-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Springfield, IL – 30.9 mi away (160,570 pop)
- Alton, IL – 57.2 mi away (80,871 pop)
- Quincy, IL – 62.5 mi away (45,113 pop)
- Florissant, MO – 64.4 mi away (51,776 pop)
- Hazelwood, MO – 65.2 mi away (25,443 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Jacksonville, IL?
Our directory has 46 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Jacksonville. The closest is Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is John Wood Community College (59.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Illinois?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Illinois are: Management Analyst ($110,370), Technical Writer ($79,690), Human Resources Specialist ($72,350). Wages for Jacksonville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Springfield instead of Jacksonville?
Springfield, IL is 30.9 miles from Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Jacksonville’s median household income of $62,615 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jacksonville 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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