Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Ruston, LA (2026)
Ruston, Louisiana has a population of about 22,224. The city’s median household income is $32,765 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 18 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ruston, with tuition ranging from $8,864 to $24,496 per year for indexed programs. In Louisiana, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $98,680 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Ruston
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 18 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Ruston. Distances are calculated from Ruston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe, LA | 35.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado, AR | 46.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bossier Parish Community College | Bossier City, LA | 58.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | 60.4 mi | $8,864 - $24,496 | – |
| Louisiana State University-Shreveport | Shreveport, LA | 62.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 62.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Centenary College of Louisiana | Shreveport, LA | 63.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Ruston
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Louisiana, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,150 |
| Management Analyst | $98,680 |
| Technical Writer | $59,250 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $56,040 |
| Editor | $48,880 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,020 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,020 |
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.
Ruston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,224 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $32,765 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Ruston-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Monroe, LA – 32.6 mi away (117,673 pop)
- Bossier City, LA – 60.0 mi away (68,485 pop)
- Shreveport, LA – 67.7 mi away (291,749 pop)
- Alexandria, LA – 86.3 mi away (82,995 pop)
- Marshall, TX – 99.9 mi away (22,014 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Ruston, LA?
Our directory has 18 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ruston. The closest is Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Centenary College of Louisiana (63.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Louisiana?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Louisiana are: Management Analyst ($98,680), Public Relations Specialist ($61,150), Human Resources Specialist ($61,020). Wages for Ruston workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Monroe instead of Ruston?
Monroe, LA is 32.6 miles from Ruston 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 Ruston an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Ruston’s median household income of $32,765 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ruston 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
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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