Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Marion, IA (2026)
Marion, Iowa has a population of about 41,690. The city’s median household income is $87,105 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Marion, with tuition ranging from $10,964 to $48,380 per year. In the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $95,480 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Marion
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Marion city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 28.6 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Loras College | Dubuque, IA | 56.1 mi | $38,298 - $48,380 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Marion
Marion is part of the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area (BLS area code 16300). 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 | $59,270 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,596 |
| Management Analyst | $95,480 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $107,281 |
| Technical Writer | $61,450 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $69,045 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $46,290 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,011 |
| Editor | $61,390 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $68,978 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $70,910 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,674 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,460 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $69,056 |
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.
Marion at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,690 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,105 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Linn County | 695 workers, 43 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Marion-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 7.2 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Coralville, IA – 23.9 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Iowa City, IA – 27.0 mi away (116,891 pop)
- Waterloo, IA – 49.9 mi away (112,635 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 50.8 mi away (26,481 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Marion, IA?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Marion. The closest is University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA (28.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Loras College (56.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Marion?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Marion are: Management Analyst ($95,480), Training and Development Specialist ($70,910), Human Resources Specialist ($61,460). 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 Cedar Rapids instead of Marion?
Cedar Rapids, IA is 7.2 miles from Marion 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 Marion an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Marion’s median household income of $87,105 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Marion 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.