Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Olive Branch, MS (2026)
Olive Branch, Mississippi has a population of about 46,538. The city’s median household income is $98,421 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Olive Branch, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $68,055 per year for indexed programs. In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $86,940 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Olive Branch
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 25 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Olive Branch. Distances are calculated from Olive Branch city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, TN | 13.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | 13.9 mi | $4,550 - $17,750 | – |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis, TN | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rhodes College | Memphis, TN | 15.6 mi | $54,892 - $68,055 | – |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | 24.2 mi | $3,660 - $13,156 | – |
| Arkansas State University Mid-South | West Memphis, AR | 24.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rust College | Holly Springs, MS | 26.0 mi | $13,840 - $18,448 | – |
| University of Mississippi | University, MS | 44.8 mi | $9,412 - $27,692 | – |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain, MS | 50.5 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 Olive Branch
Olive Branch is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area (BLS area code 32820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Mississippi statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $54,920 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,566 |
| Management Analyst | $86,940 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $94,295 |
| Technical Writer | $86,340 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $93,644 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,540 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,662 |
| Editor | $53,920 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,482 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $51,580 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,944 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,130 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $69,555 |
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.
Olive Branch at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,538 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $98,421 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Olive Branch-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Southaven, MS – 7.4 mi away (53,214 pop)
- Germantown, TN – 9.2 mi away (39,056 pop)
- Collierville, TN – 10.3 mi away (49,177 pop)
- Horn Lake, MS – 11.5 mi away (27,042 pop)
- Memphis, TN – 12.4 mi away (1,069,661 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Olive Branch, MS?
Our directory has 25 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Olive Branch. The closest is University of Memphis in Memphis, TN (12.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Blue Mountain Christian University (50.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Olive Branch?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Olive Branch are: Management Analyst ($86,940), Technical Writer ($86,340), Human Resources Specialist ($64,130). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Mississippi statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Southaven instead of Olive Branch?
Southaven, MS is 7.4 miles from Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Olive Branch’s median household income of $98,421 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Olive Branch 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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