Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Austin, MN (2026)

Austin, Minnesota has a population of about 26,167. The city’s median household income is $66,488 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 50 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Austin, with tuition ranging from $50,320 to $62,845 per year for indexed programs. In Minnesota, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $95,980 annually (BLS, May 2024).

Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Austin

The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 50 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Austin. Distances are calculated from Austin city center.

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

Liberal Arts Wages Near Austin

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.

Austin at a Glance

Other Austin-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs

• Owatonna, MN – 31.7 mi away (25,567 pop)
• Rochester, MN – 34.3 mi away (114,976 pop)
• Mason City, IA – 37.9 mi away (26,487 pop)
• Faribault, MN – 45.9 mi away (24,012 pop)
• Northfield, MN – 55.0 mi away (22,005 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Austin, MN?

Our directory has 50 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Austin. The closest is Riverland Community College in Austin, MN (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Luther College (63.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.

What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Minnesota?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Minnesota are: Management Analyst ($95,980), Human Resources Specialist ($77,250), Technical Writer ($76,770). Wages for Austin workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Owatonna instead of Austin?

Owatonna, MN is 31.7 miles from Austin 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 Austin an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Austin’s median household income of $66,488 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Austin while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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

• Online Liberal Arts Programs in Minnesota
• Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
• Liberal Arts Programs by State

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.