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

Salina, Kansas has a population of about 46,432. The city’s median household income is $60,624 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Salina. 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 Salina

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Salina city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Butler Community CollegeEl Dorado, KS79.4 miContact school for pricing
Newman UniversityWichita, KS79.5 miContact school for pricing

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


Liberal Arts Wages Near Salina

OccupationMedian Annual Wage (Kansas, statewide)
Public Relations Specialist$61,910
Management Analyst$81,130
Technical Writer$72,330
News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist$34,330
Editor$54,480
Training and Development Specialist$64,670
Human Resources Specialist$76,490

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.


Salina at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population46,432Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$60,624Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+28.7%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)

Other Salina-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Salina, KS?

Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Salina. The closest is Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS (79.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Newman University (79.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

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 Salina workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Junction City instead of Salina?

Junction City, KS is 43.7 miles from Salina 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 Salina an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Salina’s median household income of $60,624 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salina 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.