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. Our directory has 38 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Waco, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $45,235 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 38 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Waco. Distances are calculated from Waco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLennan Community College | Waco, TX | 2.3 mi | $3,660 - $13,382 | – |
| Baylor University | Waco, TX | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco, TX | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hill College | Hillsboro, TX | 31.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | 37.7 mi | $33,150 - $45,235 | – |
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | Killeen, TX | 49.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Navarro College | Corsicana, TX | 54.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Adventist University | Keene, TX | 58.5 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 schools are near Waco, TX?
Our directory has 38 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Waco. The closest is McLennan Community College in Waco, TX (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwestern Adventist University (58.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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.
Related Resources
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.