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. Our directory has 11 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 11 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Richland. Distances are calculated from Richland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walla Walla University | College Place, WA | 46.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blue Mountain Community College | Pendleton, OR | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Whitman College | Walla Walla, WA | 48.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla, WA | 50.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 52.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 62.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | 62.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | 77.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande, OR | 88.2 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 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 schools are near Richland, WA?
Our directory has 11 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Richland. The closest is Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA (8.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Oregon University (88.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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
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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