Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Urbana, IL (2026)
Urbana, Illinois has a population of about 38,447. The city’s median household income is $45,854 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 58.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Urbana, with tuition ranging from $16,004 to $34,501 per year. In the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $96,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Urbana
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Urbana city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1.7 mi | $16,004 - $34,501 | – |
| Purdue University Global | West Lafayette, IN | 71.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | 71.1 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 Urbana
Urbana is part of the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area (BLS area code 16580). 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 | $63,900 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $68,932 |
| Management Analyst | $96,100 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $103,668 |
| Technical Writer | $79,690 | IL statewide | $85,965 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,600 | IL statewide | $61,057 |
| Editor | $63,220 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $68,198 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $63,980 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $69,018 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,440 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $70,593 |
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.
Urbana at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,447 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,854 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 58.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Champaign County | 156 workers, 16 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Urbana-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Champaign, IL – 4.0 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Danville, IL – 31.0 mi away (48,785 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 42.8 mi away (89,653 pop)
- Charleston, IL – 43.3 mi away (21,105 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 47.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Urbana, IL?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Urbana. The closest is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, IL (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Purdue University-Main Campus (71.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Urbana?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Urbana are: Management Analyst ($96,100), Technical Writer ($79,690), Human Resources Specialist ($65,440). 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 Champaign instead of Urbana?
Champaign, IL is 4.0 miles from Urbana 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 Urbana an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Urbana’s median household income of $45,854 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Urbana 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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