Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Columbia, MO (2026)
Columbia, Missouri has a population of about 127,200. The city’s median household income is $64,488 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 56.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Columbia, with tuition ranging from $28,200 to $49,646 per year for indexed programs. In the Columbia, MO metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $84,620 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Columbia
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 24 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Columbia. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia, MO | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stephens College | Columbia, MO | 0.5 mi | $28,200 - $42,694 | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, MO | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westminster College | Fulton, MO | 21.1 mi | $34,188 - $49,646 | – |
| William Woods University | Fulton, MO | 21.1 mi | $28,860 - $44,907 | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette, MO | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette, MO | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City, MO | 27.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moberly Area Community College | Moberly, MO | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State Technical College of Missouri | Linn, MO | 43.1 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 Columbia
Columbia is part of the Columbia, MO metro area (BLS area code 17860). 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 | $54,830 | Columbia, MO | $61,331 |
| Management Analyst | $84,620 | Columbia, MO | $94,653 |
| Technical Writer | $81,150 | MO statewide | $90,772 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,270 | MO statewide | $49,519 |
| Editor | $58,740 | Columbia, MO | $65,705 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $60,750 | Columbia, MO | $67,953 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,610 | Columbia, MO | $73,389 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,488 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 56.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Jefferson City, MO – 27.5 mi away (58,439 pop)
- Sedalia, MO – 51.7 mi away (26,302 pop)
- Rolla, MO – 75.7 mi away (20,692 pop)
- Warrensburg, MO – 76.5 mi away (22,227 pop)
- Wentzville, MO – 79.0 mi away (37,395 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Columbia, MO?
Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Columbia. The closest is University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, MO (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is State Technical College of Missouri (43.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Columbia are: Management Analyst ($84,620), Technical Writer ($81,150), Human Resources Specialist ($65,610). 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 Jefferson City instead of Columbia?
Jefferson City, MO is 27.5 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Columbia’s median household income of $64,488 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia 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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