Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Cookeville, TN (2026)

Cookeville, Tennessee has a population of about 35,544. The city’s median household income is $48,501 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Cookeville, with tuition ranging from $4,762 to $18,622 per year for indexed programs. In Tennessee, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $97,410 annually (BLS, May 2024).

Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Cookeville

The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 39 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Cookeville. Distances are calculated from Cookeville city center.

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee liberal arts page.

Liberal Arts Wages Near Cookeville

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.

Cookeville at a Glance

Other Cookeville-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs

• Lebanon, TN – 46.7 mi away (33,068 pop)
• Murfreesboro, TN – 54.2 mi away (161,634 pop)
• Harriman, TN – 55.2 mi away (23,026 pop)
• Gallatin, TN – 55.7 mi away (35,734 pop)
• Mount Juliet, TN – 55.9 mi away (33,263 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Cookeville, TN?

Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Cookeville. The closest is Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lindsey Wilson College (66.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.

What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in Tennessee?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in Tennessee are: Management Analyst ($97,410), Technical Writer ($76,950), Human Resources Specialist ($65,200). Wages for Cookeville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Lebanon instead of Cookeville?

Lebanon, TN is 46.7 miles from Cookeville 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 Cookeville an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Cookeville’s median household income of $48,501 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cookeville 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

Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.