Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Des Moines, WA (2026)
Des Moines, Washington has a population of about 32,545. The city’s median household income is $89,787 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Des Moines. 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 Des Moines
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Des Moines city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | 15.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA | 26.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon, WA | 72.2 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 Des Moines
Des Moines 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.
Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,545 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,787 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.2% | 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 Des Moines-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- SeaTac, WA – 3.7 mi away (28,873 pop)
- Kent, WA – 4.8 mi away (127,514 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 5.8 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Burien, WA – 6.0 mi away (50,997 pop)
- Tukwila, WA – 6.1 mi away (20,033 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Des Moines, WA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Des Moines. The closest is University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA (11.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Skagit Valley College (72.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Des Moines?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Des Moines 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 Des Moines?
SeaTac, WA is 3.7 miles from Des Moines 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 Des Moines an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Des Moines’s median household income of $89,787 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Des Moines 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
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