Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kansas City, MO (2026)
Kansas City, Missouri has a population of about 508,233. The city’s median household income is $67,449 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Kansas City. In the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $97,140 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Kansas City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Kansas City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 16.8 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 Kansas City
Kansas City is part of the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 28140). 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 | $66,110 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $71,470 |
| Management Analyst | $97,140 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $105,016 |
| Technical Writer | $75,180 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $81,276 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,990 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $54,043 |
| Editor | $59,440 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,259 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $66,530 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $71,924 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $77,880 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $84,195 |
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.
Kansas City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,449 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Jackson County | 4,672 workers, 159 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kansas City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Gladstone, MO – 6.2 mi away (27,114 pop)
- Raytown, MO – 10.2 mi away (29,261 pop)
- Kansas City, KS – 10.2 mi away (151,709 pop)
- Prairie Village, KS – 10.4 mi away (21,805 pop)
- Liberty, MO – 10.8 mi away (30,614 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Kansas City, MO?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Kansas City. The closest is Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City in Kansas City, MO (5.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnson County Community College (16.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Kansas City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Kansas City are: Management Analyst ($97,140), Human Resources Specialist ($77,880), Technical Writer ($75,180). 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 Gladstone instead of Kansas City?
Gladstone, MO is 6.2 miles from Kansas 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 Kansas City an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Kansas City’s median household income of $67,449 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kansas 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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