Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Hastings, NE (2026)
Hastings, Nebraska has a population of about 25,005. The city’s median household income is $61,202 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Hastings. In Nebraska, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $82,440 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Hastings
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 12 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Hastings. Distances are calculated from Hastings city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings College | Hastings, NE | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, NE | 37.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York University | York, NE | 46.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | 71.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Doane University | Crete, NE | 75.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS | 78.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cloud County Community College | Concordia, KS | 81.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 89.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Union Adventist University | Lincoln, NE | 92.1 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 Hastings
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Nebraska, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,430 |
| Management Analyst | $82,440 |
| Technical Writer | $65,480 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $38,960 |
| Editor | $40,100 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $64,520 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,330 |
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.
Hastings at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,005 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,202 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Adams County | 36 workers, 6 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hastings-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Grand Island, NE – 22.5 mi away (53,556 pop)
- Kearney, NE – 37.0 mi away (34,065 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 79.3 mi away (22,846 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 90.9 mi away (280,741 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Hastings, NE?
Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Hastings. The closest is Hastings College in Hastings, NE (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Union Adventist University (92.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Nebraska?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Nebraska are: Management Analyst ($82,440), Technical Writer ($65,480), Training and Development Specialist ($64,520). Wages for Hastings workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Grand Island instead of Hastings?
Grand Island, NE is 22.5 miles from Hastings 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 Hastings an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Hastings’s median household income of $61,202 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hastings 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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