Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Emporia, KS (2026)

Emporia, Kansas has a population of about 24,098. The city’s median household income is $52,787 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 48 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Emporia, with tuition ranging from $9,578 to $48,360 per year for indexed programs. In Kansas, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $81,130 annually (BLS, May 2024).

Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Emporia

The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 48 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Emporia. Distances are calculated from Emporia city center.

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas liberal arts page.

Liberal Arts Wages Near Emporia

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.

Emporia at a Glance

Other Emporia-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs

• Topeka, KS – 51.3 mi away (149,220 pop)
• Junction City, KS – 55.8 mi away (40,157 pop)
• Manhattan, KS – 58.7 mi away (57,442 pop)
• Lawrence, KS – 63.2 mi away (95,800 pop)
• Newton, KS – 67.9 mi away (20,625 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Emporia, KS?

Our directory has 48 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Emporia. The closest is Emporia State University in Emporia, KS (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Manhattan Area Technical College (59.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.

What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Kansas?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Kansas are: Management Analyst ($81,130), Human Resources Specialist ($76,490), Technical Writer ($72,330). Wages for Emporia workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Topeka instead of Emporia?

Topeka, KS is 51.3 miles from Emporia 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 Emporia an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Emporia’s median household income of $52,787 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Emporia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas 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

• Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kansas
• Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
• Liberal Arts Programs by State

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.