Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bellingham, WA (2026)
Bellingham, Washington has a population of about 92,367. The city’s median household income is $65,821 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 28 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Bellingham. In the Bellingham, WA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $98,880 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Bellingham
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 28 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Bellingham. Distances are calculated from Bellingham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham, WA | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Whatcom Community College | Bellingham, WA | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Indian College | Bellingham, WA | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon, WA | 23.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Everett Community College | Everett, WA | 53.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Peninsula College | Port Angeles, WA | 62.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood, WA | 65.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shoreline Community College | Shoreline, WA | 69.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cascadia College | Bothell, WA | 69.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Bellingham
Bellingham is part of the Bellingham, WA metro area (BLS area code 13380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,810 | Bellingham, WA | $68,548 |
| Management Analyst | $98,880 | Bellingham, WA | $95,721 |
| Technical Writer | $80,360 | Bellingham, WA | $77,793 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,040 | WA statewide | $55,218 |
| Editor | $59,290 | Bellingham, WA | $57,396 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $72,030 | Bellingham, WA | $69,729 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,860 | Bellingham, WA | $73,437 |
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.
Bellingham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,821 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Whatcom County | 260 workers, 34 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bellingham-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Mount Vernon, WA – 24.1 mi away (68,613 pop)
- Oak Harbor, WA – 32.5 mi away (34,689 pop)
- Marysville, WA – 48.6 mi away (163,547 pop)
- Lake Stevens, WA – 54.6 mi away (31,679 pop)
- Sequim, WA – 55.0 mi away (20,330 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Bellingham, WA?
Our directory has 28 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Bellingham. The closest is Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Cascadia College (69.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bellingham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bellingham are: Management Analyst ($98,880), Technical Writer ($80,360), Human Resources Specialist ($75,860). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Mount Vernon instead of Bellingham?
Mount Vernon, WA is 24.1 miles from Bellingham 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 Bellingham an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bellingham’s median household income of $65,821 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bellingham while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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 Washington
- 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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