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. Our directory has 84 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Kankakee, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $47,066 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 84 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Kankakee. Distances are calculated from Kankakee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 25.2 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 31.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 32.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 32.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 36.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 37.1 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 39.0 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL | 39.3 mi | $20,325 - $47,066 | – |
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 schools are near Kankakee, IL?
Our directory has 84 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Kankakee. The closest is Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, IL (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Trinity Christian College (39.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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
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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