Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Ridgeland, MS (2026)
Ridgeland, Mississippi has a population of about 24,548. The city’s median household income is $63,470 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 19 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ridgeland, with tuition ranging from $3,510 to $61,025 per year for indexed programs. In Mississippi, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $62,680 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Ridgeland
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 19 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Ridgeland. Distances are calculated from Ridgeland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, MS | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Millsaps College | Jackson, MS | 7.2 mi | $43,815 - $61,025 | – |
| Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | 9.4 mi | $9,090 - $28,611 | – |
| Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | 12.3 mi | $21,698 - $39,167 | – |
| Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | 19.5 mi | $3,825 - $9,817 | – |
| Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | 40.1 mi | $3,510 - $12,733 | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 52.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Central Community College | Decatur, MS | 60.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alcorn State University | Alcorn State, MS | 69.4 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 Ridgeland
Ridgeland is part of the Jackson, MS metro area (BLS area code 27140). 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 | $55,460 | Jackson, MS | $62,315 |
| Management Analyst | $58,030 | Jackson, MS | $65,202 |
| Technical Writer | $62,680 | MS statewide | $70,427 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $48,670 | Jackson, MS | $54,685 |
| Editor | $47,470 | Jackson, MS | $53,337 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $59,220 | Jackson, MS | $66,539 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,100 | Jackson, MS | $68,652 |
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.
Ridgeland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,548 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,470 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Ridgeland-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Madison, MS – 3.7 mi away (26,031 pop)
- Jackson, MS – 8.3 mi away (342,607 pop)
- Pearl, MS – 10.8 mi away (26,485 pop)
- Clinton, MS – 12.3 mi away (25,211 pop)
- Brandon, MS – 13.5 mi away (23,826 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Ridgeland, MS?
Our directory has 19 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Ridgeland. The closest is Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Alcorn State University (69.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Ridgeland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Ridgeland are: Technical Writer ($62,680), Human Resources Specialist ($61,100), Training and Development Specialist ($59,220). 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 Madison instead of Ridgeland?
Madison, MS is 3.7 miles from Ridgeland 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 Ridgeland an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Ridgeland’s median household income of $63,470 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ridgeland 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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