Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Laurel, MS (2026)
Laurel, Mississippi has a population of about 17,129. The city’s median household income is $37,781 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Laurel, with tuition ranging from $3,650 to $14,975 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 Laurel
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 24 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Laurel. Distances are calculated from Laurel city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Baptist College | Laurel, MS | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jones County Junior College | Ellisville, MS | 7.6 mi | $4,000 - $14,975 | – |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | 27.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Carey University | Hattiesburg, MS | 28.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Central Community College | Decatur, MS | 51.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Meridian Community College | Meridian, MS | 52.3 mi | $3,932 - $13,402 | – |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | 63.2 mi | $3,950 - $12,908 | – |
| Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS | 63.3 mi | $3,650 - $11,607 | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 73.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | 73.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Laurel
| 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.
Laurel at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,129 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,781 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Laurel-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Hattiesburg, MS – 28.7 mi away (81,995 pop)
- Meridian, MS – 54.6 mi away (39,478 pop)
- Brandon, MS – 63.8 mi away (23,826 pop)
- Pearl, MS – 68.3 mi away (26,485 pop)
- Jackson, MS – 75.8 mi away (342,607 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Laurel, MS?
Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Laurel. The closest is Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Belhaven University (73.9 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 Laurel workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Hattiesburg instead of Laurel?
Hattiesburg, MS is 28.7 miles from Laurel 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 Laurel an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Laurel’s median household income of $37,781 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Laurel 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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