Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Centralia, WA (2026)
Centralia, Washington has a population of about 18,457. The city’s median household income is $52,387 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 55 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Centralia. In Washington, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $118,730 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Centralia
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 55 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Centralia. Distances are calculated from Centralia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia College | Centralia, WA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 20.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Martin’s University | Lacey, WA | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Evergreen State College | Olympia, WA | 24.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | 38.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 38.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lower Columbia College | Longview, WA | 40.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 41.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grays Harbor College | Aberdeen, WA | 42.5 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 Centralia
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Washington, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,500 |
| Management Analyst | $118,730 |
| Technical Writer | $93,230 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,040 |
| Editor | $85,250 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $82,910 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,230 |
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.
Centralia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,457 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,387 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Lewis County | 50 workers, 9 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Centralia-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Tumwater, WA – 18.8 mi away (22,538 pop)
- Olympia, WA – 22.3 mi away (194,532 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 23.7 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 36.8 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 39.4 mi away (33,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Centralia, WA?
Our directory has 55 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Centralia. The closest is Centralia College in Centralia, WA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Grays Harbor College (42.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Washington?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Washington are: Management Analyst ($118,730), Technical Writer ($93,230), Public Relations Specialist ($85,500). Wages for Centralia workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Tumwater instead of Centralia?
Tumwater, WA is 18.8 miles from Centralia 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 Centralia an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Centralia’s median household income of $52,387 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Centralia 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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