Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Madison, AL (2026)
Madison, Alabama has a population of about 58,335. The city’s median household income is $131,436 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 65.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Madison, with tuition ranging from $3,420 to $27,826 per year. In the Huntsville, AL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $118,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 7.0 mi | $11,770 - $27,098 | – |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 83.6 mi | $8,832 - $27,826 | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 96.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 98.6 mi | $3,420 - $11,557 | – |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 99.4 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 Madison
Madison is part of the Huntsville, AL metro area (BLS area code 26620). 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 | $74,120 | Huntsville, AL | $79,613 |
| Management Analyst | $118,270 | Huntsville, AL | $127,035 |
| Technical Writer | $88,090 | Huntsville, AL | $94,619 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,730 | AL statewide | $48,045 |
| Editor | $47,370 | Huntsville, AL | $50,881 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $74,660 | Huntsville, AL | $80,193 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,770 | Huntsville, AL | $80,311 |
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.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,335 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $131,436 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 65.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Albertville, AL – 44.1 mi away (37,451 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 57.2 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Columbia, TN – 65.0 mi away (37,845 pop)
- Spring Hill, TN – 71.8 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Trussville, AL – 74.8 mi away (21,422 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Madison, AL?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is University of Alabama in Huntsville in Huntsville, AL (7.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Vanderbilt University (99.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Madison are: Management Analyst ($118,270), Technical Writer ($88,090), Human Resources Specialist ($74,770). 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 Albertville instead of Madison?
Albertville, AL is 44.1 miles from Madison 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 Madison an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Madison’s median household income of $131,436 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison 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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