Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bristol, TN (2026)
Bristol, Tennessee has a population of about 27,490. The city’s median household income is $55,007 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bristol, with tuition ranging from $2,545 to $14,199 per year. In the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $87,550 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Bristol
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Bristol city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | 84.1 mi | $2,545 - $14,199 | – |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock, NC | 87.2 mi | $2,660 - $13,097 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Bristol
Bristol is part of the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (BLS area code 28700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,270 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $63,970 |
| Management Analyst | $87,550 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $101,331 |
| Technical Writer | $76,950 | TN statewide | $89,062 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,030 | TN statewide | $68,322 |
| Editor | $51,060 | TN statewide | $59,097 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $56,650 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $65,567 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,780 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $74,977 |
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.
Bristol at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,490 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,007 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bristol-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Johnson City, TN – 17.6 mi away (127,134 pop)
- Kingsport, TN – 18.5 mi away (116,745 pop)
- Boone, NC – 38.7 mi away (25,039 pop)
- Greeneville, TN – 43.1 mi away (23,953 pop)
- Morristown, TN – 65.1 mi away (60,098 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Bristol, TN?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Bristol. The closest is Surry Community College in Dobson, NC (84.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Blue Ridge Community College (87.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Bristol?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Bristol are: Management Analyst ($87,550), Technical Writer ($76,950), Human Resources Specialist ($64,780). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnson City instead of Bristol?
Johnson City, TN is 17.6 miles from Bristol 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 Bristol an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Bristol’s median household income of $55,007 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bristol while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee 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 Tennessee
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
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