Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in New Orleans, LA (2026)
New Orleans, Louisiana has a population of about 376,035. The city’s median household income is $55,339 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited liberal arts program within 100 miles of New Orleans, with tuition ranging from $8,373 to $22,647 per year. In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $97,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to New Orleans
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from New Orleans city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | 44.8 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 New Orleans
New Orleans is part of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area (BLS area code 35380). 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 | $64,860 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $70,043 |
| Management Analyst | $97,060 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $104,816 |
| Technical Writer | $61,490 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $66,404 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,910 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $64,698 |
| Editor | $48,340 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $52,203 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,550 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $70,788 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,300 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $71,598 |
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.
New Orleans at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,339 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Orleans County | 4,631 workers, 316 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other New Orleans-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Slidell, LA – 17.5 mi away (94,320 pop)
- Kenner, LA – 19.9 mi away (67,089 pop)
- Mandeville, LA – 23.3 mi away (95,576 pop)
- Hammond, LA – 43.6 mi away (69,616 pop)
- Gulfport, MS – 56.9 mi away (222,131 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near New Orleans, LA?
Our directory lists 1 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of New Orleans. The closest is Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA (44.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southeastern Louisiana University (44.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near New Orleans?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near New Orleans are: Management Analyst ($97,060), Human Resources Specialist ($66,300), Training and Development Specialist ($65,550). 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 Slidell instead of New Orleans?
Slidell, LA is 17.5 miles from New Orleans 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 New Orleans an affordable place to study liberal arts?
New Orleans’s median household income of $55,339 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Orleans 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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