Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Hagerstown, MD (2026)
Hagerstown, Maryland has a population of about 43,490. The city’s median household income is $49,957 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Hagerstown, with tuition ranging from $13,544 to $71,549 per year. In the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $109,120 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Hagerstown
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Hagerstown city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg, PA | 31.0 mi | $13,544 - $29,480 | – |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA | 40.2 mi | $36,028 - $50,500 | – |
| Dickinson College | Carlisle, PA | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American University | Washington, DC | 59.1 mi | $56,543 - $71,549 | – |
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | 60.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Hagerstown
Hagerstown is part of the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 25180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maryland statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $51,800 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $54,989 |
| Management Analyst | $109,120 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $115,839 |
| Technical Writer | $98,350 | MD statewide | $104,406 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,710 | MD statewide | $64,448 |
| Editor | $57,960 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $61,529 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,410 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $66,253 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,590 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $79,183 |
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.
Hagerstown at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,490 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,957 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Washington County | 273 workers, 28 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hagerstown-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Waynesboro, PA – 10.7 mi away (26,593 pop)
- Chambersburg, PA – 20.4 mi away (51,948 pop)
- Frederick, MD – 21.7 mi away (152,047 pop)
- Charles Town, WV – 26.4 mi away (23,759 pop)
- Leesburg, VA – 38.0 mi away (52,607 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Hagerstown, MD?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Hagerstown. The closest is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg, PA (31.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is George Mason University (60.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Hagerstown?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Hagerstown are: Management Analyst ($109,120), Technical Writer ($98,350), Human Resources Specialist ($74,590). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maryland statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Waynesboro instead of Hagerstown?
Waynesboro, PA is 10.7 miles from Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Hagerstown’s median household income of $49,957 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hagerstown while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maryland 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 Maryland
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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