Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lees Summit, MO (2026)
Lees Summit, Missouri has a population of about 89,467. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lees Summit. 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 Lees Summit
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Lees Summit city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 14.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 18.8 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 Lees Summit
Lees Summit 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.
Lees Summit at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Lees Summit-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Raytown, MO – 6.9 mi away (29,261 pop)
- Grandview, MO – 8.0 mi away (25,190 pop)
- Blue Springs, MO – 8.8 mi away (54,431 pop)
- Raymore, MO – 8.9 mi away (20,839 pop)
- Belton, MO – 10.6 mi away (23,290 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Lees Summit, MO?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lees Summit. The closest is Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City in Kansas City, MO (14.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnson County Community College (18.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Lees Summit?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Lees Summit 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 Raytown instead of Lees Summit?
Raytown, MO is 6.9 miles from Lees Summit 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.
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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