Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Burien, WA (2026)
Burien, Washington has a population of about 51,331. The city’s median household income is $90,597 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 43 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Burien. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $129,900 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Burien
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 43 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Burien. Distances are calculated from Burien city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle University | Seattle, WA | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Antioch University-Seattle | Seattle, WA | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle Central College | Seattle, WA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, WA | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 12.5 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 Burien
Burien is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). 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 | $92,060 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,862 |
| Management Analyst | $129,900 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $116,922 |
| Technical Writer | $99,220 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $89,307 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $67,580 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,828 |
| Editor | $87,330 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $78,605 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $92,710 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $83,447 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $88,050 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $79,253 |
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.
Burien at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,331 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,597 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in King County | 10,077 workers, 434 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Burien-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- SeaTac, WA – 2.9 mi away (28,873 pop)
- Tukwila, WA – 3.1 mi away (20,033 pop)
- Des Moines, WA – 6.0 mi away (31,172 pop)
- Renton, WA – 7.0 mi away (100,953 pop)
- Mercer Island, WA – 8.0 mi away (25,134 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Burien, WA?
Our directory has 43 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Burien. The closest is South Seattle College in Seattle, WA (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Washington-Seattle Campus (12.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Burien?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Burien are: Management Analyst ($129,900), Technical Writer ($99,220), Training and Development Specialist ($92,710). 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 SeaTac instead of Burien?
SeaTac, WA is 2.9 miles from Burien 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 Burien an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Burien’s median household income of $90,597 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Burien 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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