Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Gardner, KS (2026)
Gardner, Kansas has a population of about 24,020. The city’s median household income is $92,579 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Gardner. In the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $97,140 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Gardner
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Gardner city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 13.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 24.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Gardner
Gardner is part of the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 28140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,110 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $71,470 |
| Management Analyst | $97,140 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $105,016 |
| Technical Writer | $75,180 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $81,276 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,990 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $54,043 |
| Editor | $59,440 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,259 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $66,530 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $71,924 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $77,880 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $84,195 |
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.
Gardner at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,020 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $92,579 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Gardner-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Olathe, KS – 7.6 mi away (135,473 pop)
- Lenexa, KS – 12.1 mi away (52,903 pop)
- Overland Park, KS – 13.9 mi away (188,966 pop)
- Shawnee, KS – 15.3 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Leawood, KS – 17.5 mi away (34,565 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Gardner, KS?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Gardner. The closest is Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS (13.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City (24.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Gardner?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Gardner are: Management Analyst ($97,140), Human Resources Specialist ($77,880), Technical Writer ($75,180). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Olathe instead of Gardner?
Olathe, KS is 7.6 miles from Gardner 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 Gardner an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Gardner’s median household income of $92,579 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardner 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.
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