Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Dalton, GA (2026)
Dalton, Georgia has a population of about 34,402. The city’s median household income is $61,236 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dalton, with tuition ranging from $25,590 to $37,875 per year. In the Dalton, GA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $79,300 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Dalton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Dalton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 19.8 mi | $25,590 - $37,875 | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | 55.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA | 58.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 76.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Georgia schools on the Georgia liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Dalton
Dalton is part of the Dalton, GA metro area (BLS area code 19140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Georgia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,770 | Dalton, GA | $87,717 |
| Management Analyst | $79,300 | Dalton, GA | $88,307 |
| Technical Writer | $72,440 | GA statewide | $80,668 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $76,440 | GA statewide | $85,122 |
| Editor | $66,880 | GA statewide | $74,477 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $50,320 | Dalton, GA | $56,036 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $55,120 | Dalton, GA | $61,381 |
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.
Dalton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,402 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,236 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Whitfield County | 5 workers, 7 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Dalton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Calhoun, GA – 19.2 mi away (33,092 pop)
- East Ridge, TN – 21.5 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Chattanooga, TN – 25.9 mi away (403,618 pop)
- Cleveland, TN – 29.1 mi away (71,601 pop)
- Rome, GA – 36.9 mi away (61,019 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Dalton, GA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Dalton. The closest is Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN (19.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (76.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Dalton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Dalton are: Management Analyst ($79,300), Public Relations Specialist ($78,770), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($76,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Georgia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Calhoun instead of Dalton?
Calhoun, GA is 19.2 miles from Dalton 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 Dalton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Dalton’s median household income of $61,236 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Dalton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Georgia 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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