Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Mason City, IA (2026)
Mason City, Iowa has a population of about 27,135. The city’s median household income is $62,369 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Mason City, with tuition ranging from $5,376 to $62,845 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 Mason City
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 25 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Mason City. Distances are calculated from Mason City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waldorf University | Forest City, IA | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 37.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 43.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, IA | 46.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 57.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 66.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 67.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | 68.2 mi | $5,376 - $15,405 | – |
| Luther College | Decorah, IA | 71.2 mi | $50,320 - $62,845 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Mason City
| 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.
Mason City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,135 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Cerro Gordo County | 22 workers, 8 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Mason City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Austin, MN – 37.9 mi away (25,105 pop)
- Cedar Falls, IA – 57.6 mi away (41,390 pop)
- Waterloo, IA – 62.5 mi away (112,635 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 65.2 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Fort Dodge, IA – 66.3 mi away (24,359 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Mason City, IA?
Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Mason City. The closest is North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Luther College (71.2 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 Mason City workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Austin instead of Mason City?
Austin, MN is 37.9 miles from Mason City 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 Mason City an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Mason City’s median household income of $62,369 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Mason City 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.