Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Columbus, MS (2026)
Columbus, Mississippi has a population of about 23,616. The city’s median household income is $40,588 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Columbus, with tuition ranging from $3,420 to $33,200 per year for indexed programs. In Mississippi, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $70,010 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Columbus
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 25 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Columbus. Distances are calculated from Columbus city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS | 1.1 mi | $8,092 - $21,808 | – |
| Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | 22.0 mi | $9,815 - $26,922 | – |
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | 47.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stillman College | Tuscaloosa, AL | 52.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 53.1 mi | $3,420 - $11,557 | – |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 54.1 mi | $11,900 - $33,200 | – |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa, AL | 56.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 64.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | 69.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, MS | 80.6 mi | $4,770 - $14,779 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Columbus
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Mississippi, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $54,790 |
| Management Analyst | $70,010 |
| Technical Writer | $62,680 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,160 |
| Editor | $49,510 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $52,160 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $56,050 |
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.
Columbus at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,616 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $40,588 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Columbus-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Starkville, MS – 24.2 mi away (32,441 pop)
- Northport, AL – 50.1 mi away (25,045 pop)
- Tupelo, MS – 55.2 mi away (46,095 pop)
- Meridian, MS – 79.3 mi away (39,478 pop)
- Bessemer, AL – 83.7 mi away (26,511 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Columbus, MS?
Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Columbus. The closest is Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeast Mississippi Community College (80.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Mississippi?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Mississippi are: Management Analyst ($70,010), Technical Writer ($62,680), Human Resources Specialist ($56,050). Wages for Columbus workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Starkville instead of Columbus?
Starkville, MS is 24.2 miles from Columbus 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 Columbus an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Columbus’s median household income of $40,588 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbus while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi 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 Mississippi
- 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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