Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Cape Girardeau, MO (2026)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of about 40,047. The city’s median household income is $54,870 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Cape Girardeau, with tuition ranging from $4,860 to $23,337 per year for indexed programs. In the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $81,840 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Cape Girardeau
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 23 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Cape Girardeau. Distances are calculated from Cape Girardeau city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.6 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 29.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 33.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 39.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 52.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Three Rivers College | Poplar Bluff, MO | 60.5 mi | $4,860 - $17,482 | – |
| Mineral Area College | Park Hills, MO | 62.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | 66.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 68.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | 77.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau is part of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 16020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,810 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $64,820 |
| Management Analyst | $81,840 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $95,052 |
| Technical Writer | $81,150 | MO statewide | $94,251 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,270 | MO statewide | $51,417 |
| Editor | $58,740 | MO statewide | $68,223 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $55,720 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $64,715 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $58,060 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $67,433 |
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.
Cape Girardeau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,047 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,870 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Cape Girardeau-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Carbondale, IL – 33.9 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 53.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 57.7 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Poplar Bluff, MO – 60.4 mi away (20,714 pop)
- Murray, KY – 83.6 mi away (20,431 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Cape Girardeau, MO?
Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Cape Girardeau. The closest is Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The University of Tennessee-Martin (77.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Cape Girardeau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Cape Girardeau are: Management Analyst ($81,840), Technical Writer ($81,150), Editor ($58,740). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carbondale instead of Cape Girardeau?
Carbondale, IL is 33.9 miles from Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Cape Girardeau’s median household income of $54,870 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cape Girardeau while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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 Missouri
- 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.
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