Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Alabaster, AL (2026)
Alabaster, Alabama has a population of about 33,633. The city’s median household income is $90,163 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of Alabaster, with tuition ranging from $8,832 to $27,826 per year. In the Birmingham, AL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $96,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Alabaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Alabaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 19.5 mi | $8,832 - $27,826 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Alabaster
Alabaster is part of the Birmingham, AL metro area (BLS area code 13820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Alabama statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,110 | Birmingham, AL | $67,806 |
| Management Analyst | $96,100 | Birmingham, AL | $104,913 |
| Technical Writer | $76,150 | Birmingham, AL | $83,133 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $45,320 | Birmingham, AL | $49,476 |
| Editor | $55,660 | Birmingham, AL | $60,764 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $68,430 | Birmingham, AL | $74,705 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,070 | Birmingham, AL | $71,037 |
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.
Alabaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,163 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Alabaster-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Pelham, AL – 7.4 mi away (23,050 pop)
- Hoover, AL – 10.8 mi away (84,978 pop)
- Bessemer, AL – 13.5 mi away (26,511 pop)
- Vestavia Hills, AL – 16.7 mi away (34,688 pop)
- Homewood, AL – 16.7 mi away (25,613 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Alabaster, AL?
Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Alabaster. The closest is University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL (19.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Alabama at Birmingham (19.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Alabaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Alabaster are: Management Analyst ($96,100), Technical Writer ($76,150), Training and Development Specialist ($68,430). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Alabama statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Pelham instead of Alabaster?
Pelham, AL is 7.4 miles from Alabaster 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 Alabaster an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Alabaster’s median household income of $90,163 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Alabaster while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Alabama 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.
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