Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Hickory, NC (2026)
Hickory, North Carolina has a population of about 43,747. The city’s median household income is $63,361 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Hickory, with tuition ranging from $2,545 to $82,818 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $87,330 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Hickory
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Hickory city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 36.9 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 44.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 47.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | 55.9 mi | $2,545 - $14,199 | – |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | 64.3 mi | $64,758 - $82,818 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Hickory
Hickory is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area (BLS area code 25860). 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 | $49,580 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $56,023 |
| Management Analyst | $73,470 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $83,017 |
| Technical Writer | $87,330 | NC statewide | $98,678 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $52,430 | NC statewide | $59,243 |
| Editor | $64,340 | NC statewide | $72,701 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $50,060 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $56,565 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,480 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $69,469 |
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.
Hickory at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,747 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,361 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Catawba County | 257 workers, 35 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hickory-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 19.1 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Statesville, NC – 25.5 mi away (26,506 pop)
- Mooresville, NC – 30.0 mi away (36,543 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 30.9 mi away (28,515 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 33.7 mi away (27,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Hickory, NC?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Hickory. The closest is Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC (36.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wake Forest University (64.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Hickory?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Hickory are: Technical Writer ($87,330), Management Analyst ($73,470), Editor ($64,340). 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 Hickory?
Lincolnton, NC is 19.1 miles from Hickory 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 Hickory an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Hickory’s median household income of $63,361 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hickory 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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