Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Missoula, MT (2026)
Missoula, Montana has a population of about 75,600. The city’s median household income is $65,329 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 51.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of Missoula. In the Missoula, MT metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $89,860 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Missoula
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Missoula city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Montana | Missoula, MT | 0.7 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 Missoula
Missoula is part of the Missoula, MT metro area (BLS area code 33540). 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 | $58,220 | Missoula, MT | $60,394 |
| Management Analyst | $89,860 | Missoula, MT | $93,216 |
| Technical Writer | $63,090 | MT statewide | $65,446 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,500 | Missoula, MT | $51,349 |
| Editor | $45,770 | Missoula, MT | $47,479 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $49,380 | Missoula, MT | $51,224 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,210 | Missoula, MT | $61,421 |
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.
Missoula at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,600 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,329 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 51.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Missoula County | 330 workers, 54 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Missoula-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Butte, MT – 92.8 mi away (30,584 pop)
- Kalispell, MT – 94.2 mi away (36,304 pop)
- Helena, MT – 96.1 mi away (49,812 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Missoula, MT?
Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Missoula. The closest is The University of Montana in Missoula, MT (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The University of Montana (0.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Missoula?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Missoula are: Management Analyst ($89,860), Technical Writer ($63,090), Human Resources Specialist ($59,210). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Montana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Butte instead of Missoula?
Butte, MT is 92.8 miles from Missoula 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 Missoula an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Missoula’s median household income of $65,329 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Missoula 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.
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