Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Brookings, SD (2026)

Brookings, South Dakota has a population of about 23,710. The city’s median household income is $61,979 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of Brookings. In South Dakota, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $79,660 annually (BLS, May 2024).

Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Brookings

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Brookings city center.

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota liberal arts page.

Liberal Arts Wages Near Brookings

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.

Brookings at a Glance

Other Brookings-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs

• Watertown, SD – 45.7 mi away (21,788 pop)
• Sioux Falls, SD – 52.9 mi away (177,629 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Brookings, SD?

Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Brookings. The closest is Northwestern College in Orange City, IA (97.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwestern College (97.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in South Dakota?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in South Dakota are: Management Analyst ($79,660), Public Relations Specialist ($65,000), Training and Development Specialist ($62,170). Wages for Brookings workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Watertown instead of Brookings?

Watertown, SD is 45.7 miles from Brookings 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 Brookings an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Brookings’s median household income of $61,979 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Brookings while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Dakota 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 South Dakota
• Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
• Liberal Arts Programs by State