Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a population of about 250,887. The city’s median household income is $57,673 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Winston-Salem, with tuition ranging from $2,545 to $82,818 per year. In the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $82,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Winston-Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Winston-Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | 2.3 mi | $64,758 - $82,818 | – |
| Guilford College | Greensboro, NC | 20.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | 31.9 mi | $2,545 - $14,199 | – |
| Elon University | Elon, NC | 43.6 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 Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is part of the Winston-Salem, NC metro area (BLS area code 49180). 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 | $51,230 | Winston-Salem, NC | $55,685 |
| Management Analyst | $82,060 | Winston-Salem, NC | $89,196 |
| Technical Writer | $72,030 | Winston-Salem, NC | $78,293 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,590 | Winston-Salem, NC | $65,859 |
| Editor | $56,750 | Winston-Salem, NC | $61,685 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $53,470 | Winston-Salem, NC | $58,120 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,400 | Winston-Salem, NC | $70,000 |
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.
Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,673 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Winston-Salem-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Clemmons, NC – 8.5 mi away (20,079 pop)
- Kernersville, NC – 9.8 mi away (24,066 pop)
- High Point, NC – 16.9 mi away (177,412 pop)
- Thomasville, NC – 18.3 mi away (27,030 pop)
- Greensboro, NC – 24.2 mi away (331,894 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Winston-Salem, NC?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Winston-Salem. The closest is Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Elon University (43.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Winston-Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Winston-Salem are: Management Analyst ($82,060), Technical Writer ($72,030), Human Resources Specialist ($64,400). 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 Clemmons instead of Winston-Salem?
Clemmons, NC is 8.5 miles from Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Winston-Salem’s median household income of $57,673 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Winston-Salem 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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