Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Sumter, SC (2026)
Sumter, South Carolina has a population of about 43,065. The city’s median household income is $53,071 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Sumter, with tuition ranging from $19,500 to $32,494 per year. In the Sumter, SC metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $94,040 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Sumter
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Sumter city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 89.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 96.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 98.4 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Sumter
Sumter is part of the Sumter, SC metro area (BLS area code 44940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,550 | SC statewide | $68,807 |
| Management Analyst | $94,040 | Sumter, SC | $106,864 |
| Technical Writer | $78,660 | SC statewide | $89,386 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $44,690 | SC statewide | $50,784 |
| Editor | $58,210 | SC statewide | $66,148 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,760 | Sumter, SC | $70,182 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,070 | Sumter, SC | $75,080 |
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.
Sumter at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,065 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,071 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Sumter-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Columbia, SC – 30.1 mi away (571,249 pop)
- Florence, SC – 38.5 mi away (92,614 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 41.2 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lexington, SC – 47.5 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 58.6 mi away (25,691 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Sumter, SC?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Sumter. The closest is Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC (89.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Belmont Abbey College (98.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Sumter?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Sumter are: Management Analyst ($94,040), Technical Writer ($78,660), Human Resources Specialist ($66,070). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Columbia instead of Sumter?
Columbia, SC is 30.1 miles from Sumter 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 Sumter an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Sumter’s median household income of $53,071 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sumter while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South 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 South Carolina
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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