Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Northbrook, IL (2026)
Northbrook, Illinois has a population of about 34,642. The city’s median household income is $155,321 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 73.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 99 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Northbrook, 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 Northbrook
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 99 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Northbrook. Distances are calculated from Northbrook city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity International University-Illinois | Deerfield, IL | 5.3 mi | $12,320 - $47,751 | – |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hebrew Theological College | Skokie, IL | 9.1 mi | $14,700 - $21,742 | – |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 9.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Park University | Chicago, IL | 12.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 12.6 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 12.7 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 Northbrook
Northbrook 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.
Northbrook at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,642 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $155,321 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 73.1% | 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 Cook County | 18,707 workers, 1,168 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Northbrook-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Glenview, IL – 3.3 mi away (47,475 pop)
- Highland Park, IL – 3.9 mi away (29,641 pop)
- Wheeling, IL – 4.5 mi away (38,315 pop)
- Morton Grove, IL – 6.5 mi away (23,227 pop)
- Wilmette, IL – 6.6 mi away (27,219 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Northbrook, IL?
Our directory has 99 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Northbrook. The closest is Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL (5.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Loyola University Chicago (12.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Northbrook?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Northbrook 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 Glenview instead of Northbrook?
Glenview, IL is 3.3 miles from Northbrook 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 Northbrook an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Northbrook’s median household income of $155,321 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Northbrook 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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