Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Manhattan, KS (2026)
Manhattan, Kansas has a population of about 53,951. The city’s median household income is $58,441 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of Manhattan. In the Manhattan, KS metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $78,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Manhattan
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Manhattan city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS | 95.7 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 Manhattan
Manhattan is part of the Manhattan, KS metro area (BLS area code 31740). 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 | $56,060 | Manhattan, KS | $62,151 |
| Management Analyst | $78,410 | Manhattan, KS | $86,929 |
| Technical Writer | $72,330 | KS statewide | $80,188 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $34,330 | KS statewide | $38,060 |
| Editor | $54,480 | KS statewide | $60,399 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,240 | Manhattan, KS | $63,459 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,960 | Manhattan, KS | $83,104 |
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.
Manhattan at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,951 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,441 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Manhattan-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Junction City, KS – 17.2 mi away (40,157 pop)
- Topeka, KS – 49.9 mi away (149,220 pop)
- Emporia, KS – 58.7 mi away (24,730 pop)
- Salina, KS – 60.1 mi away (47,123 pop)
- Lawrence, KS – 73.6 mi away (95,800 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Manhattan, KS?
Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Manhattan. The closest is Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS (95.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Butler Community College (95.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Manhattan?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Manhattan are: Management Analyst ($78,410), Human Resources Specialist ($74,960), Technical Writer ($72,330). 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 Junction City instead of Manhattan?
Junction City, KS is 17.2 miles from Manhattan 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 Manhattan an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Manhattan’s median household income of $58,441 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Manhattan 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
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