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. Our directory has 35 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Marion, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $32,927 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 35 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Marion. Distances are calculated from Marion city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 9.8 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon, IA | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 26.5 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Divine Word College | Epworth, IA | 43.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 46.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emmaus Bible College | Dubuque, IA | 55.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 55.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | 55.3 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 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 schools are near Marion, IA?
Our directory has 35 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Marion. The closest is Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA (4.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Dubuque (55.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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.
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.