Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Jonesboro, AR (2026)
Jonesboro, Arkansas has a population of about 79,187. The city’s median household income is $52,559 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Jonesboro, with tuition ranging from $7,754 to $44,943 per year for indexed programs. In Arkansas, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Public Relations Specialist at a median $64,520 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Jonesboro
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 23 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Jonesboro. Distances are calculated from Jonesboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1.5 mi | $7,754 - $22,823 | – |
| Crowley’s Ridge College | Paragould, AR | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas State University-Newport | Newport, AR | 31.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Black River Technical College | Pocahontas, AR | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville, AR | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville | Batesville, AR | 52.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lyon College | Batesville, AR | 53.1 mi | $31,000 - $44,943 | – |
| Arkansas State University Mid-South | West Memphis, AR | 53.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Arkansas Community College | Forrest City, AR | 54.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Jonesboro
Jonesboro is part of the Jonesboro, AR metro area (BLS area code 27860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,520 | AR statewide | $75,111 |
| Management Analyst | $58,940 | Jonesboro, AR | $68,615 |
| Technical Writer | $62,490 | AR statewide | $72,747 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $34,230 | AR statewide | $39,849 |
| Editor | $44,690 | AR statewide | $52,026 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $50,940 | Jonesboro, AR | $59,302 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $51,240 | Jonesboro, AR | $59,651 |
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.
Jonesboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,187 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,559 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Craighead County | 43 workers, 8 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Jonesboro-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Paragould, AR – 18.7 mi away (26,617 pop)
- West Memphis, AR – 53.5 mi away (25,284 pop)
- Atoka, TN – 57.2 mi away (20,478 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 63.1 mi away (58,622 pop)
- Memphis, TN – 63.3 mi away (1,069,661 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Jonesboro, AR?
Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Jonesboro. The closest is Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is East Arkansas Community College (54.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Jonesboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Jonesboro are: Public Relations Specialist ($64,520), Technical Writer ($62,490), Management Analyst ($58,940). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Paragould instead of Jonesboro?
Paragould, AR is 18.7 miles from Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Jonesboro’s median household income of $52,559 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jonesboro while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- 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.
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Arkansas (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Arkansas (2026)