Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kirkwood, MO (2026)
Kirkwood, Missouri has a population of about 29,302. The city’s median household income is $117,439 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 66.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Kirkwood, with tuition ranging from $30,730 to $49,218 per year. In the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $102,540 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Kirkwood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Kirkwood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster University | Saint Louis, MO | 4.2 mi | $30,730 - $49,218 | – |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 11.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | 85.1 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 Kirkwood
Kirkwood is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 41180). 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 | $64,060 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,361 |
| Management Analyst | $102,540 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $107,823 |
| Technical Writer | $83,230 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $87,518 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,520 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,814 |
| Editor | $63,130 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $66,383 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $59,430 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,492 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,180 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $68,538 |
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.
Kirkwood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,302 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $117,439 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 66.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in St. Louis County | 2,234 workers, 165 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kirkwood-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Webster Groves, MO – 3.6 mi away (22,970 pop)
- Ballwin, MO – 7.1 mi away (30,313 pop)
- University City, MO – 7.7 mi away (34,706 pop)
- Maryland Heights, MO – 10.1 mi away (27,137 pop)
- Saint Louis, MO – 10.2 mi away (2,096,990 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Kirkwood, MO?
Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Kirkwood. The closest is Webster University in Saint Louis, MO (4.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Missouri University of Science and Technology (85.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Kirkwood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Kirkwood are: Management Analyst ($102,540), Technical Writer ($83,230), Human Resources Specialist ($65,180). 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 Webster Groves instead of Kirkwood?
Webster Groves, MO is 3.6 miles from Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Kirkwood’s median household income of $117,439 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kirkwood 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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