Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Yakima, WA (2026)
Yakima, Washington has a population of about 96,810. The city’s median household income is $59,228 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Yakima. In Washington, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $93,230 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Yakima
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 12 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Yakima. Distances are calculated from Yakima city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 16.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | 28.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee, WA | 58.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 70.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 72.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia Gorge Community College | The Dalles, OR | 75.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 91.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | 97.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 98.5 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 Yakima
Yakima is part of the Yakima, WA metro area (BLS area code 49420). 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 | $70,100 | Yakima, WA | $73,403 |
| Management Analyst | $76,170 | Yakima, WA | $79,759 |
| Technical Writer | $93,230 | WA statewide | $97,623 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,040 | WA statewide | $59,728 |
| Editor | $85,250 | WA statewide | $89,267 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $59,800 | Yakima, WA | $62,618 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,640 | Yakima, WA | $72,921 |
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.
Yakima at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 96,810 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,228 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Yakima County | 156 workers, 15 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Yakima-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Ellensburg, WA – 28.2 mi away (22,847 pop)
- Wenatchee, WA – 58.4 mi away (71,426 pop)
- Richland, WA – 63.5 mi away (54,989 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 70.6 mi away (36,662 pop)
- Kennewick, WA – 71.0 mi away (229,624 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Yakima, WA?
Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Yakima. The closest is Yakima Valley College in Yakima, WA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Renton Technical College (98.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Yakima?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Yakima are: Technical Writer ($93,230), Editor ($85,250), Management Analyst ($76,170). 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 Ellensburg instead of Yakima?
Ellensburg, WA is 28.2 miles from Yakima 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 Yakima an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Yakima’s median household income of $59,228 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Yakima 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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