Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lafayette, LA (2026)
Lafayette, Louisiana has a population of about 121,537. The city’s median household income is $61,454 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of Lafayette, with tuition ranging from $8,373 to $22,647 per year. In the Lafayette, LA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $87,960 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Lafayette
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Lafayette city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | 95.6 mi | $8,373 - $22,647 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Lafayette
Lafayette is part of the Lafayette, LA metro area (BLS area code 29180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Louisiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,830 | Lafayette, LA | $70,906 |
| Management Analyst | $87,960 | Lafayette, LA | $100,872 |
| Technical Writer | $59,250 | LA statewide | $67,947 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,040 | LA statewide | $64,266 |
| Editor | $48,880 | LA statewide | $56,055 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $55,920 | Lafayette, LA | $64,128 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $55,860 | Lafayette, LA | $64,060 |
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.
Lafayette at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,454 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Lafayette County | 532 workers, 50 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lafayette-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Abbeville, LA – 17.2 mi away (20,139 pop)
- New Iberia, LA – 19.0 mi away (30,386 pop)
- Opelousas, LA – 22.2 mi away (25,390 pop)
- Baton Rouge, LA – 56.0 mi away (589,675 pop)
- Morgan City, LA – 61.2 mi away (30,061 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Lafayette, LA?
Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Lafayette. The closest is Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA (95.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southeastern Louisiana University (95.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Lafayette?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Lafayette are: Management Analyst ($87,960), Public Relations Specialist ($61,830), Technical Writer ($59,250). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Louisiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Abbeville instead of Lafayette?
Abbeville, LA is 17.2 miles from Lafayette 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 Lafayette an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Lafayette’s median household income of $61,454 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lafayette while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Louisiana 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 Louisiana
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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