Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bettendorf, IA (2026)
Bettendorf, Iowa has a population of about 39,297. The city’s median household income is $102,917 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 51.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bettendorf, with tuition ranging from $10,964 to $48,380 per year. In the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $95,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Bettendorf
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Bettendorf city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 55.2 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Loras College | Dubuque, IA | 65.7 mi | $38,298 - $48,380 | – |
| Beloit College | Beloit, WI | 98.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Bettendorf
Bettendorf is part of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area (BLS area code 19340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,900 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $67,228 |
| Management Analyst | $95,700 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $107,407 |
| Technical Writer | $64,170 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $72,020 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $47,440 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $53,244 |
| Editor | $58,670 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $65,847 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,690 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $70,359 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,790 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $86,184 |
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.
Bettendorf at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,297 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $102,917 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 51.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Scott County | 497 workers, 29 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bettendorf-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- East Moline, IL – 5.6 mi away (21,135 pop)
- Moline, IL – 5.8 mi away (42,250 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 6.7 mi away (288,233 pop)
- Rock Island, IL – 8.6 mi away (38,210 pop)
- Clinton, IA – 22.7 mi away (30,930 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Bettendorf, IA?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bettendorf. The closest is University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA (55.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Beloit College (98.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bettendorf?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bettendorf are: Management Analyst ($95,700), Human Resources Specialist ($76,790), Technical Writer ($64,170). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in East Moline instead of Bettendorf?
East Moline, IL is 5.6 miles from Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bettendorf’s median household income of $102,917 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bettendorf while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa 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.