Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Jefferson City, MO (2026)
Jefferson City, Missouri has a population of about 42,565. The city’s median household income is $67,205 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Jefferson City, with tuition ranging from $30,730 to $49,218 per year. In Missouri, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $81,150 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Jefferson City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Jefferson City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia, MO | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 90.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Webster University | Saint Louis, MO | 98.9 mi | $30,730 - $49,218 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Jefferson City
Jefferson City is part of the Jefferson City, MO metro area (BLS area code 27620). 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 | $57,180 | Jefferson City, MO | $64,977 |
| Management Analyst | $72,360 | Jefferson City, MO | $82,227 |
| Technical Writer | $81,150 | MO statewide | $92,216 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,270 | MO statewide | $50,307 |
| Editor | $58,740 | MO statewide | $66,750 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $52,700 | Jefferson City, MO | $59,886 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,160 | Jefferson City, MO | $67,227 |
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.
Jefferson City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,565 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,205 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Jefferson City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Columbia, MO – 27.5 mi away (138,675 pop)
- Rolla, MO – 48.5 mi away (20,692 pop)
- Sedalia, MO – 57.9 mi away (26,302 pop)
- Wentzville, MO – 72.6 mi away (37,395 pop)
- O’Fallon, MO – 80.1 mi away (86,274 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Jefferson City, MO?
Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Jefferson City. The closest is University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, MO (26.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Webster University (98.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Jefferson City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Jefferson City are: Technical Writer ($81,150), Management Analyst ($72,360), Human Resources Specialist ($59,160). 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 Columbia instead of Jefferson City?
Columbia, MO is 27.5 miles from Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Jefferson City’s median household income of $67,205 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jefferson City 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
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