Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Richland, WA (2026)
Richland, Washington has a population of about 61,912. The city’s median household income is $92,550 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Richland. In the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $106,850 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Richland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Richland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 52.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande, OR | 88.3 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 Richland
Richland is part of the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area (BLS area code 28420). 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 | $86,960 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $86,873 |
| Management Analyst | $106,850 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $106,743 |
| Technical Writer | $106,220 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $106,114 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,040 | WA statewide | $56,983 |
| Editor | $86,310 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $86,224 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $90,400 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $90,310 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,040 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $77,962 |
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.
Richland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,912 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $92,550 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Richland-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Kennewick, WA – 8.2 mi away (229,624 pop)
- Pasco, WA – 8.3 mi away (70,579 pop)
- Hermiston, OR – 31.1 mi away (28,704 pop)
- Walla Walla, WA – 48.2 mi away (56,509 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 58.4 mi away (36,662 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Richland, WA?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Richland. The closest is Heritage University in Toppenish, WA (52.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Oregon University (88.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Richland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Richland are: Management Analyst ($106,850), Technical Writer ($106,220), Training and Development Specialist ($90,400). 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 Kennewick instead of Richland?
Kennewick, WA is 8.2 miles from Richland 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 Richland an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Richland’s median household income of $92,550 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Richland 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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