Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Dubuque, IA (2026)
Dubuque, Iowa has a population of about 59,271. The city’s median household income is $64,985 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dubuque, with tuition ranging from $10,964 to $48,380 per year. In the Dubuque, IA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $74,540 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Dubuque
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Dubuque city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loras College | Dubuque, IA | 1.3 mi | $38,298 - $48,380 | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 73.8 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 77.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beloit College | Beloit, WI | 85.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Viterbo University | La Crosse, WI | 94.0 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 Dubuque
Dubuque is part of the Dubuque, IA metro area (BLS area code 20220). 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 | $59,160 | Dubuque, IA | $67,766 |
| Management Analyst | $74,540 | Dubuque, IA | $85,384 |
| Technical Writer | $54,490 | Dubuque, IA | $62,417 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $38,290 | IA statewide | $43,860 |
| Editor | $58,540 | Dubuque, IA | $67,056 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,170 | Dubuque, IA | $71,214 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,570 | Dubuque, IA | $70,527 |
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.
Dubuque at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,271 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,985 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Dubuque-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Clinton, IA – 51.3 mi away (30,930 pop)
- Marion, IA – 54.9 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Freeport, IL – 56.6 mi away (24,717 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 61.9 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 65.5 mi away (288,233 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Dubuque, IA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dubuque. The closest is Loras College in Dubuque, IA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Viterbo University (94.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Dubuque?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Dubuque are: Management Analyst ($74,540), Training and Development Specialist ($62,170), Human Resources Specialist ($61,570). 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 Clinton instead of Dubuque?
Clinton, IA is 51.3 miles from Dubuque 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 Dubuque an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Dubuque’s median household income of $64,985 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Dubuque 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.