Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Muscatine, IA (2026)
Muscatine, Iowa has a population of about 23,567. The city’s median household income is $59,332 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 34 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Muscatine, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $32,927 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 Muscatine
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 34 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Muscatine. Distances are calculated from Muscatine city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | 26.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Palmer College of Chiropractic | Davenport, IA | 26.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 29.5 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Black Hawk College | Moline, IL | 32.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon, IA | 39.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Monmouth College | Monmouth, IL | 41.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA | 42.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 45.4 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Muscatine
| 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.
Muscatine at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,567 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,332 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Muscatine-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Rock Island, IL – 25.4 mi away (38,210 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 25.7 mi away (288,233 pop)
- Iowa City, IA – 29.0 mi away (116,891 pop)
- Moline, IL – 30.2 mi away (42,250 pop)
- Bettendorf, IA – 32.2 mi away (35,727 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Muscatine, IA?
Our directory has 34 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Muscatine. The closest is Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport, IA (26.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kirkwood Community College (45.4 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 Muscatine workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Rock Island instead of Muscatine?
Rock Island, IL is 25.4 miles from Muscatine 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 Muscatine an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Muscatine’s median household income of $59,332 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Muscatine 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.