Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Pekin, IL (2026)
Pekin, Illinois has a population of about 31,812. The city’s median household income is $58,355 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 31 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Pekin, with tuition ranging from $4,650 to $68,399 per year for indexed programs. In the Peoria, IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $92,620 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Pekin
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 31 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Pekin. Distances are calculated from Pekin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 8.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL | 11.0 mi | $4,650 - $17,251 | – |
| Methodist College | Peoria, IL | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eureka College | Eureka, IL | 21.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Spoon River College | Canton, IL | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 32.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Christian University | Lincoln, IL | 32.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 33.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | 33.7 mi | $55,704 - $68,399 | – |
| Knox College | Galesburg, IL | 46.9 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 Pekin
Pekin is part of the Peoria, IL metro area (BLS area code 37900). 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 | $61,000 | Peoria, IL | $66,886 |
| Management Analyst | $92,620 | Peoria, IL | $101,557 |
| Technical Writer | $79,800 | Peoria, IL | $87,500 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $48,230 | Peoria, IL | $52,884 |
| Editor | $52,250 | Peoria, IL | $57,292 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $74,600 | Peoria, IL | $81,798 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,150 | Peoria, IL | $78,015 |
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.
Pekin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,812 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,355 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Pekin-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- East Peoria, IL – 8.6 mi away (22,939 pop)
- Peoria, IL – 12.7 mi away (265,218 pop)
- Normal, IL – 33.7 mi away (54,264 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 35.1 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Galesburg, IL – 47.3 mi away (34,620 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Pekin, IL?
Our directory has 31 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Pekin. The closest is Bradley University in Peoria, IL (8.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Knox College (46.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Pekin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Pekin are: Management Analyst ($92,620), Technical Writer ($79,800), Training and Development Specialist ($74,600). 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 East Peoria instead of Pekin?
East Peoria, IL is 8.6 miles from Pekin 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 Pekin an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Pekin’s median household income of $58,355 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pekin 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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