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. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bessemer, 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 Bessemer
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Bessemer city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 13.1 mi | $8,832 - $27,826 | – |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 95.7 mi | $11,770 - $27,098 | – |
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 programs are near Bessemer, AL?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bessemer. The closest is University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL (13.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Alabama in Huntsville (95.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
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.
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