Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Panama City, FL (2026)
Panama City, Florida has a population of about 34,211. The city’s median household income is $61,125 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Panama City, with tuition ranging from $4,920 to $14,798 per year for indexed programs. In the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $82,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Panama City
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 12 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Panama City. Distances are calculated from Panama City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chipola College | Marianna, FL | 46.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 53.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | 56.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Enterprise State Community College | Enterprise, AL | 77.1 mi | $5,040 - $14,798 | – |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan, AL | 77.7 mi | $4,920 - $9,863 | – |
| Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee, FL | 78.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 80.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 80.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | Andalusia, AL | 92.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Panama City
Panama City is part of the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metro area (BLS area code 37460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,760 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $57,307 |
| Management Analyst | $82,990 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $85,293 |
| Technical Writer | $80,840 | FL statewide | $83,083 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,720 | FL statewide | $59,322 |
| Editor | $64,380 | FL statewide | $66,166 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $49,600 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $50,976 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $60,730 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $62,415 |
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.
Panama City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,211 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,125 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Bay County | 187 workers, 23 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Panama City-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Lynn Haven, FL – 3.0 mi away (20,850 pop)
- Fort Walton Beach, FL – 61.9 mi away (21,971 pop)
- Crestview, FL – 68.8 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Tallahassee, FL – 83.2 mi away (252,825 pop)
- Pensacola, FL – 95.3 mi away (352,187 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Panama City, FL?
Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Panama City. The closest is Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL (6.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lurleen B Wallace Community College (92.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Panama City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Panama City are: Management Analyst ($82,990), Technical Writer ($80,840), Editor ($64,380). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lynn Haven instead of Panama City?
Lynn Haven, FL is 3.0 miles from Panama City 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 Panama City an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Panama City’s median household income of $61,125 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Panama City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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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