Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Columbia, TN (2026)
Columbia, Tennessee has a population of about 43,971. The city’s median household income is $61,204 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Columbia, with tuition ranging from $11,770 to $27,098 per year. In the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $102,080 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 38.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 39.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 66.0 mi | $11,770 - $27,098 | – |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, TN | 94.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | 99.7 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 Columbia
Columbia is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area (BLS area code 34980). 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 | $60,000 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $62,305 |
| Management Analyst | $102,080 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $106,002 |
| Technical Writer | $64,670 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $67,155 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,030 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $61,298 |
| Editor | $56,750 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $58,930 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,920 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $64,299 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,290 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $69,875 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,971 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,204 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Spring Hill, TN – 11.3 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Franklin, TN – 23.4 mi away (74,794 pop)
- Brentwood, TN – 29.7 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 34.6 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Smyrna, TN – 38.1 mi away (48,596 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Columbia, TN?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN (38.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Kentucky University (99.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Columbia are: Management Analyst ($102,080), Human Resources Specialist ($67,290), Technical Writer ($64,670). 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 Spring Hill instead of Columbia?
Spring Hill, TN is 11.3 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Columbia’s median household income of $61,204 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia 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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