Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Grand Island, NE (2026)
Grand Island, Nebraska has a population of about 52,761. The city’s median household income is $62,439 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 11 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Grand Island. In the Grand Island, NE metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $81,670 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Grand Island
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 11 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Grand Island. Distances are calculated from Grand Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hastings College | Hastings, NE | 22.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York University | York, NE | 40.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, NE | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | 66.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Doane University | Crete, NE | 76.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 86.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | Lincoln, NE | 89.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Union Adventist University | Lincoln, NE | 89.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 90.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Grand Island
Grand Island is part of the Grand Island, NE metro area (BLS area code 24260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Nebraska statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $49,970 | Grand Island, NE | $57,636 |
| Management Analyst | $81,670 | Grand Island, NE | $94,198 |
| Technical Writer | $65,480 | NE statewide | $75,525 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $38,960 | NE statewide | $44,937 |
| Editor | $40,100 | NE statewide | $46,251 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $64,270 | Grand Island, NE | $74,129 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,540 | Grand Island, NE | $68,674 |
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.
Grand Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,761 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,439 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Grand Island-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Hastings, NE – 22.5 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Kearney, NE – 40.9 mi away (34,065 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 63.1 mi away (22,846 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 88.0 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Norfolk, NE – 91.0 mi away (26,921 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Grand Island, NE?
Our directory has 11 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Grand Island. The closest is Central Community College in Grand Island, NE (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southeast Community College Area (90.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Grand Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Grand Island are: Management Analyst ($81,670), Technical Writer ($65,480), Training and Development Specialist ($64,270). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Nebraska statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hastings instead of Grand Island?
Hastings, NE is 22.5 miles from Grand Island 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 Grand Island an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Grand Island’s median household income of $62,439 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Island while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Nebraska 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 Nebraska
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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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