Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bessemer, AL (2026)
Bessemer, Alabama has a population of about 25,655. The city’s median household income is $37,844 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 36 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Bessemer, with tuition ranging from $8,832 to $38,385 per year for indexed programs. 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 Bessemer
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 36 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Bessemer. Distances are calculated from Bessemer city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miles College | Fairfield, AL | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 12.1 mi | $22,750 - $38,385 | – |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 13.6 mi | $8,832 - $27,826 | – |
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo, AL | 19.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | 24.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 35.0 mi | $11,900 - $33,200 | – |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | 36.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stillman College | Tuscaloosa, AL | 37.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Bessemer
Bessemer 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.
Bessemer at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,655 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,844 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Jefferson County | 1,394 workers, 110 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bessemer-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Hoover, AL – 9.5 mi away (84,978 pop)
- Homewood, AL – 11.3 mi away (25,613 pop)
- Pelham, AL – 13.0 mi away (23,050 pop)
- Alabaster, AL – 13.5 mi away (32,948 pop)
- Vestavia Hills, AL – 14.2 mi away (34,688 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Bessemer, AL?
Our directory has 36 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Bessemer. The closest is Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL (7.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Stillman College (37.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bessemer?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bessemer 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 Hoover instead of Bessemer?
Hoover, AL is 9.5 miles from Bessemer 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 Bessemer an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bessemer’s median household income of $37,844 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bessemer 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.
Related Resources
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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