Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Waco, TX (2026)
Waco, Texas has a population of about 141,925. The city’s median household income is $51,468 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Waco, with tuition ranging from $33,150 to $45,235 per year. In Texas, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $79,060 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Waco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Waco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | 37.7 mi | $33,150 - $45,235 | – |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | 81.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | 82.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 93.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Edward’s University | Austin, TX | 97.8 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 Waco
Waco is part of the Waco, TX metro area (BLS area code 47380). 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 | $51,100 | Waco, TX | $55,243 |
| Management Analyst | $77,810 | Waco, TX | $84,119 |
| Technical Writer | $79,060 | TX statewide | $85,470 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $49,110 | Waco, TX | $53,092 |
| Editor | $53,250 | Waco, TX | $57,568 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $60,730 | Waco, TX | $65,654 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,590 | Waco, TX | $64,422 |
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.
Waco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,468 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in McLennan County | 128 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waco-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Temple, TX – 33.4 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Belton, TX – 38.8 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 43.9 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Killeen, TX – 46.2 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 52.6 mi away (32,808 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Waco, TX?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Waco. The closest is University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX (37.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Edward’s University (97.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Waco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Waco are: Technical Writer ($79,060), Management Analyst ($77,810), Training and Development Specialist ($60,730). 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 Temple instead of Waco?
Temple, TX is 33.4 miles from Waco 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 Waco an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Waco’s median household income of $51,468 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waco 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.