Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Ottumwa, IA (2026)
Ottumwa, Iowa has a population of about 25,352. The city’s median household income is $56,994 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ottumwa, with tuition ranging from $4,872 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 Ottumwa
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 26 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Ottumwa. Distances are calculated from Ottumwa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | 2.2 mi | $4,872 - $14,774 | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 23.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Maharishi International University | Fairfield, IA | 23.5 mi | $16,530 - $28,730 | – |
| Central College | Pella, IA | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 52.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Truman State University | Kirksville, MO | 58.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 63.7 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 64.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA | 66.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 72.4 mi | $5,304 - $13,993 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Ottumwa
| 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.
Ottumwa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,352 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,994 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Ottumwa-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Coralville, IA – 63.4 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Iowa City, IA – 63.7 mi away (116,891 pop)
- Burlington, IA – 69.1 mi away (29,124 pop)
- Des Moines, IA – 72.7 mi away (476,689 pop)
- Marshalltown, IA – 74.5 mi away (26,640 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Ottumwa, IA?
Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ottumwa. The closest is Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, IA (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Marshalltown Community College (72.4 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 Ottumwa workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Coralville instead of Ottumwa?
Coralville, IA is 63.4 miles from Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Ottumwa’s median household income of $56,994 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ottumwa 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.