Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Fort Dodge, IA (2026)
Fort Dodge, Iowa has a population of about 24,788. The city’s median household income is $61,769 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 18 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Fort Dodge, with tuition ranging from $5,376 to $27,683 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 Fort Dodge
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 18 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Fort Dodge. Distances are calculated from Fort Dodge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | 2.0 mi | $5,376 - $15,405 | – |
| Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 42.9 mi | $10,497 - $27,683 | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 46.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake, IA | 53.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waldorf University | Forest City, IA | 58.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | 62.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | 68.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Drake University | Des Moines, IA | 68.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 69.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | 70.1 mi | $7,196 - $17,834 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Fort Dodge
| 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.
Fort Dodge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,788 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,769 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Fort Dodge-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Ames, IA – 43.6 mi away (67,841 pop)
- Ankeny, IA – 61.5 mi away (58,627 pop)
- Johnston, IA – 61.6 mi away (21,114 pop)
- Urbandale, IA – 63.5 mi away (43,018 pop)
- Mason City, IA – 66.3 mi away (26,487 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Fort Dodge, IA?
Our directory has 18 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Fort Dodge. The closest is Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, IA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Iowa Lakes Community College (70.1 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 Fort Dodge workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Ames instead of Fort Dodge?
Ames, IA is 43.6 miles from Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Fort Dodge’s median household income of $61,769 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Dodge 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.