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. Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Manhattan, with tuition ranging from $9,578 to $48,360 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 25 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Manhattan. Distances are calculated from Manhattan city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan, KS | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Manhattan Christian College | Manhattan, KS | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Washburn University | Topeka, KS | 49.6 mi | $9,578 - $20,949 | – |
| Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS | 57.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | 58.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina, KS | 59.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS | 61.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cloud County Community College | Concordia, KS | 62.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tabor College | Hillsboro, KS | 66.3 mi | $35,050 - $48,360 | – |
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 schools are near Manhattan, KS?
Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Manhattan. The closest is Manhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan, KS (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tabor College (66.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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
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.
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kansas (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kansas (2026)