Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in McKinney, TX (2026)
McKinney, Texas has a population of about 202,314. The city’s median household income is $120,273 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of McKinney. In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $99,740 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to McKinney
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from McKinney city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Texas | Denton, TX | 28.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | 41.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near McKinney
McKinney is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area (BLS area code 19100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,150 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $61,251 |
| Management Analyst | $99,740 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $96,741 |
| Technical Writer | $79,990 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $77,585 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $62,370 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $60,495 |
| Editor | $28,860 | TX statewide | $27,992 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $67,130 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $65,112 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,720 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $62,774 |
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.
McKinney at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $120,273 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Collin County | 1,967 workers, 170 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other McKinney-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Allen, TX – 6.2 mi away (99,179 pop)
- Frisco, TX – 9.4 mi away (163,656 pop)
- Plano, TX – 11.3 mi away (286,057 pop)
- Murphy, TX – 12.9 mi away (20,482 pop)
- Wylie, TX – 14.3 mi away (47,701 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near McKinney, TX?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of McKinney. The closest is University of North Texas in Denton, TX (28.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The University of Texas at Arlington (41.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near McKinney?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near McKinney are: Management Analyst ($99,740), Technical Writer ($79,990), Training and Development Specialist ($67,130). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Allen instead of McKinney?
Allen, TX is 6.2 miles from McKinney 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 McKinney an affordable place to study liberal arts?
McKinney’s median household income of $120,273 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in McKinney while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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.