Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kankakee, IL (2026)
Kankakee, Illinois has a population of about 24,384. The city’s median household income is $45,119 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Kankakee, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $46,548 per year. In the Kankakee, IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $99,860 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Kankakee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Kankakee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 48.2 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 49.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 56.9 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| Purdue University Global | West Lafayette, IN | 66.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 66.2 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 Kankakee
Kankakee is part of the Kankakee, IL metro area (BLS area code 28100). 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 | $56,600 | Kankakee, IL | $58,714 |
| Management Analyst | $99,860 | Kankakee, IL | $103,589 |
| Technical Writer | $79,690 | IL statewide | $82,666 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,600 | IL statewide | $58,714 |
| Editor | $68,050 | IL statewide | $70,591 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $58,070 | Kankakee, IL | $60,239 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,220 | Kankakee, IL | $63,506 |
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.
Kankakee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,384 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,119 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Kankakee-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Braidwood, IL – 22.0 mi away (22,563 pop)
- Park Forest, IL – 27.8 mi away (21,785 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 28.6 mi away (26,217 pop)
- Mokena, IL – 29.8 mi away (20,097 pop)
- Chicago Heights, IL – 30.6 mi away (30,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Kankakee, IL?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Kankakee. The closest is Benedictine University in Lisle, IL (48.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwestern University (66.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Kankakee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Kankakee are: Management Analyst ($99,860), 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 Braidwood instead of Kankakee?
Braidwood, IL is 22.0 miles from Kankakee 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 Kankakee an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Kankakee’s median household income of $45,119 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kankakee 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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