Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Wilmington, NC (2026)
Wilmington, North Carolina has a population of about 118,578. The city’s median household income is $63,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Wilmington, with tuition ranging from $2,748 to $58,752 per year. In the Wilmington, NC metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $93,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Wilmington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Wilmington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | 4.2 mi | $2,748 - $13,977 | – |
| Sampson Community College | Clinton, NC | 60.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 92.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC | 95.9 mi | $40,410 - $58,752 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Wilmington
Wilmington is part of the Wilmington, NC metro area (BLS area code 48900). 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 | $52,700 | Wilmington, NC | $54,668 |
| Management Analyst | $84,640 | Wilmington, NC | $87,801 |
| Technical Writer | $93,100 | Wilmington, NC | $96,577 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $37,610 | Wilmington, NC | $39,015 |
| Editor | $64,340 | NC statewide | $66,743 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,410 | Wilmington, NC | $59,554 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,710 | Wilmington, NC | $66,089 |
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.
Wilmington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in New Hanover County | 381 workers, 76 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wilmington-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Jacksonville, NC – 45.6 mi away (101,865 pop)
- Myrtle Beach, SC – 66.9 mi away (256,079 pop)
- Lumberton, NC – 70.8 mi away (29,681 pop)
- Conway, SC – 70.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- Havelock, NC – 74.0 mi away (21,083 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Wilmington, NC?
Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Wilmington. The closest is Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC (4.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Campbell University (95.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Wilmington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Wilmington are: Technical Writer ($93,100), Management Analyst ($84,640), 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 Jacksonville instead of Wilmington?
Jacksonville, NC is 45.6 miles from Wilmington 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 Wilmington an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Wilmington’s median household income of $63,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wilmington 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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