Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Gastonia, NC (2026)
Gastonia, North Carolina has a population of about 81,632. The city’s median household income is $60,554 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Gastonia, with tuition ranging from $2,660 to $32,494 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $104,760 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Gastonia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Gastonia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 8.5 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 26.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock, NC | 69.9 mi | $2,660 - $13,097 | – |
| Furman University | Greenville, SC | 74.3 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 Gastonia
Gastonia is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $69,410 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $71,336 |
| Management Analyst | $104,760 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $107,667 |
| Technical Writer | $82,990 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $85,293 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,430 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $61,079 |
| Editor | $64,990 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $66,793 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,060 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $66,865 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,030 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,084 |
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.
Gastonia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,554 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Gastonia-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 15.8 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 20.2 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 20.3 mi away (27,288 pop)
- Huntersville, NC – 20.6 mi away (54,839 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 23.0 mi away (28,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Gastonia, NC?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Gastonia. The closest is Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC (8.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Furman University (74.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Gastonia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Gastonia are: Management Analyst ($104,760), Technical Writer ($82,990), Human Resources Specialist ($74,030). 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 Lincolnton instead of Gastonia?
Lincolnton, NC is 15.8 miles from Gastonia 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 Gastonia an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Gastonia’s median household income of $60,554 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gastonia 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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