Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Burlington, IA (2026)
Burlington, Iowa has a population of about 23,800. The city’s median household income is $55,274 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 29 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Burlington, with tuition ranging from $14,952 to $28,730 per year for indexed programs. In Iowa, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $82,230 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Burlington
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 29 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Burlington. Distances are calculated from Burlington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Monmouth College | Monmouth, IL | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | 32.8 mi | $14,952 - $27,828 | – |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | 39.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Knox College | Galesburg, IL | 40.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Maharishi International University | Fairfield, IA | 46.3 mi | $16,530 - $28,730 | – |
| Culver-Stockton College | Canton, MO | 51.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 56.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | 57.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Palmer College of Chiropractic | Davenport, IA | 57.5 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 Burlington
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Iowa, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,490 |
| Management Analyst | $82,230 |
| Technical Writer | $63,680 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $38,290 |
| Editor | $58,570 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,440 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,920 |
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.
Burlington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,800 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Burlington-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Galesburg, IL – 40.3 mi away (34,620 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 42.4 mi away (26,481 pop)
- Rock Island, IL – 53.8 mi away (38,210 pop)
- Moline, IL – 57.1 mi away (42,250 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 58.4 mi away (288,233 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Burlington, IA?
Our directory has 29 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Burlington. The closest is Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Palmer College of Chiropractic (57.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Iowa?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Iowa are: Management Analyst ($82,230), Human Resources Specialist ($64,920), Technical Writer ($63,680). Wages for Burlington workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Galesburg instead of Burlington?
Galesburg, IL is 40.3 miles from Burlington 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 Burlington an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Burlington’s median household income of $55,274 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Burlington 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.
Related Resources
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.