Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Topeka, KS (2026)
Topeka, Kansas has a population of about 126,103. The city’s median household income is $55,902 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 36 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Topeka, with tuition ranging from $9,578 to $20,949 per year for indexed programs. In the Topeka, KS metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Human Resources Specialist at a median $72,530 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Topeka
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 36 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Topeka. Distances are calculated from Topeka city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn University | Topeka, KS | 0.4 mi | $9,578 - $20,949 | – |
| University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Haskell Indian Nations University | Lawrence, KS | 25.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 32.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ottawa University-Ottawa | Ottawa, KS | 37.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Saint Mary | Leavenworth, KS | 45.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine College | Atchison, KS | 48.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Manhattan Christian College | Manhattan, KS | 48.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | 50.1 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 Topeka
Topeka is part of the Topeka, KS metro area (BLS area code 45820). 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 | $62,990 | Topeka, KS | $70,935 |
| Management Analyst | $64,800 | Topeka, KS | $72,973 |
| Technical Writer | $72,330 | KS statewide | $81,453 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,870 | Topeka, KS | $50,529 |
| Editor | $58,120 | Topeka, KS | $65,450 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $56,550 | Topeka, KS | $63,682 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $72,530 | Topeka, KS | $81,678 |
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.
Topeka at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,902 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Topeka-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Lawrence, KS – 23.7 mi away (95,800 pop)
- Gardner, KS – 43.8 mi away (21,110 pop)
- Leavenworth, KS – 45.8 mi away (46,445 pop)
- Shawnee, KS – 47.7 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Olathe, KS – 48.2 mi away (135,473 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Topeka, KS?
Our directory has 36 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Topeka. The closest is Washburn University in Topeka, KS (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emporia State University (50.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Topeka?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Topeka are: Human Resources Specialist ($72,530), Technical Writer ($72,330), Management Analyst ($64,800). 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 Lawrence instead of Topeka?
Lawrence, KS is 23.7 miles from Topeka 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 Topeka an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Topeka’s median household income of $55,902 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Topeka 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.
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