Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Billings, MT (2026)
Billings, Montana has a population of about 118,321. The city’s median household income is $71,855 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Billings, with tuition ranging from $4,935 to $15,710 per year for indexed programs. In the Billings, MT metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $95,300 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Billings
The 5 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 5 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Billings. Distances are calculated from Billings city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain College | Billings, MT | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Montana State University Billings | Billings, MT | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Little Big Horn College | Crow Agency, MT | 54.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest College | Powell, WY | 71.8 mi | $4,935 - $15,710 | – |
| Chief Dull Knife College | Lame Deer, MT | 91.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Montana schools on the Montana liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Billings
Billings is part of the Billings, MT metro area (BLS area code 13740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Montana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,230 | Billings, MT | $60,139 |
| Management Analyst | $95,300 | Billings, MT | $101,925 |
| Technical Writer | $63,090 | MT statewide | $67,476 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $36,510 | MT statewide | $39,048 |
| Editor | $45,330 | Billings, MT | $48,481 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $79,990 | Billings, MT | $85,551 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,950 | Billings, MT | $68,396 |
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.
Billings at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,855 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Yellowstone County | 343 workers, 47 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Billings, MT?
Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Billings. The closest is Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Chief Dull Knife College (91.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Billings?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Billings are: Management Analyst ($95,300), Training and Development Specialist ($79,990), Human Resources Specialist ($63,950). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Montana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Is Billings an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Billings’s median household income of $71,855 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Billings while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Montana 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
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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