Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Durham, NC (2026)
Durham, North Carolina has a population of about 288,465. The city’s median household income is $79,234 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Durham, with tuition ranging from $2,528 to $22,570 per year. In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $101,810 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Durham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Durham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 19.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | 26.0 mi | $2,528 - $22,570 | – |
| Elon University | Elon, NC | 33.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Durham
Durham is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,860 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $67,480 |
| Management Analyst | $101,810 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $104,314 |
| Technical Writer | $100,660 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $103,135 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $52,430 | NC statewide | $53,719 |
| Editor | $80,820 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $82,807 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $69,750 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $71,465 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $79,120 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,066 |
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.
Durham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,234 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Durham County | 900 workers, 81 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Durham-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Chapel Hill, NC – 8.4 mi away (59,246 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 10.7 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Carrboro, NC – 10.9 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Cary, NC – 14.6 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.8 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Durham, NC?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Durham. The closest is Durham Technical Community College in Durham, NC (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Elon University (33.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Durham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Durham are: Management Analyst ($101,810), Technical Writer ($100,660), Editor ($80,820). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Chapel Hill instead of Durham?
Chapel Hill, NC is 8.4 miles from Durham 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 Durham an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Durham’s median household income of $79,234 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Durham while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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