Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in West Memphis, AR (2026)
West Memphis, Arkansas has a population of about 24,147. The city’s median household income is $41,860 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of West Memphis, with tuition ranging from $9,412 to $27,692 per year. In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $86,940 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to West Memphis
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from West Memphis city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coahoma Community College | Clarksdale, MS | 65.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mississippi | University, MS | 66.6 mi | $9,412 - $27,692 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near West Memphis
West Memphis is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area (BLS area code 32820). 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 | $54,920 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,566 |
| Management Analyst | $86,940 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $94,295 |
| Technical Writer | $86,340 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $93,644 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,540 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,662 |
| Editor | $53,920 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,482 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $51,580 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,944 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,130 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $69,555 |
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.
West Memphis at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,147 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $41,860 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other West Memphis-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Memphis, TN – 13.0 mi away (1,069,661 pop)
- Horn Lake, MS – 16.3 mi away (27,042 pop)
- Southaven, MS – 18.7 mi away (53,214 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 22.2 mi away (58,622 pop)
- Olive Branch, MS – 23.9 mi away (36,699 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near West Memphis, AR?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of West Memphis. The closest is Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, MS (65.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Mississippi (66.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near West Memphis?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near West Memphis are: Management Analyst ($86,940), Technical Writer ($86,340), Human Resources Specialist ($64,130). 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 Memphis instead of West Memphis?
Memphis, TN is 13.0 miles from West Memphis 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 West Memphis an affordable place to study liberal arts?
West Memphis’s median household income of $41,860 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in West Memphis 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
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