Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in McHenry, IL (2026)
McHenry, Illinois has a population of about 27,774. The city’s median household income is $86,865 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 94 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near McHenry, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $47,751 per year for indexed programs. 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 McHenry
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 94 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near McHenry. Distances are calculated from McHenry city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 21.0 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 22.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity International University-Illinois | Deerfield, IL | 23.2 mi | $12,320 - $47,751 | – |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 28.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | 29.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | Kenosha, WI | 29.4 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 McHenry
McHenry 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.
McHenry at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,774 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $86,865 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in McHenry County | 177 workers, 42 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other McHenry-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Woodstock, IL – 7.5 mi away (25,628 pop)
- Crystal Lake, IL – 7.6 mi away (40,339 pop)
- Lake in the Hills, IL – 10.6 mi away (28,830 pop)
- Round Lake Beach, IL – 11.2 mi away (286,350 pop)
- Algonquin, IL – 12.2 mi away (30,947 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near McHenry, IL?
Our directory has 94 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near McHenry. The closest is McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL (6.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Herzing University-Kenosha (29.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near McHenry?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near McHenry 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 Woodstock instead of McHenry?
Woodstock, IL is 7.5 miles from McHenry 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 McHenry an affordable place to study liberal arts?
McHenry’s median household income of $86,865 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in McHenry 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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