Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of about 182,832. The city’s median household income is $61,028 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga, with tuition ranging from $25,590 to $37,875 per year. In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $99,490 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Chattanooga
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Chattanooga city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 11.3 mi | $25,590 - $37,875 | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 32.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, TN | 78.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | 80.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA | 80.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Chattanooga
Chattanooga is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (BLS area code 16860). 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 | $63,020 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $68,874 |
| Management Analyst | $99,490 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $108,732 |
| Technical Writer | $78,590 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $85,891 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $43,530 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,574 |
| Editor | $48,830 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $53,366 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,260 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,579 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,400 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $68,197 |
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.
Chattanooga at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,028 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Hamilton County | 1,363 workers, 72 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chattanooga-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- East Ridge, TN – 4.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Cleveland, TN – 22.8 mi away (71,601 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 25.9 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 43.3 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Rome, GA – 55.4 mi away (61,019 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Chattanooga, TN?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. The closest is Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN (11.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of North Georgia (80.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Chattanooga?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Chattanooga are: Management Analyst ($99,490), Technical Writer ($78,590), Public Relations Specialist ($63,020). 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 East Ridge instead of Chattanooga?
East Ridge, TN is 4.9 miles from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Chattanooga’s median household income of $61,028 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chattanooga 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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