Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Nashville, TN (2026)
Nashville, Tennessee has a population of about 1,065,078. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Nashville. 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 Nashville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Nashville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 8.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | 59.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, TN | 71.1 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 Nashville
Nashville 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.
Nashville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Davidson County | 9,478 workers, 1,070 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Nashville-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Brentwood, TN – 12.4 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Hendersonville, TN – 13.9 mi away (57,050 pop)
- Mount Juliet, TN – 15.3 mi away (33,263 pop)
- La Vergne, TN – 16.4 mi away (35,071 pop)
- Franklin, TN – 17.7 mi away (74,794 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Nashville, TN?
Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Nashville. The closest is Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tennessee Technological University (71.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Nashville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Nashville 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 Brentwood instead of Nashville?
Brentwood, TN is 12.4 miles from Nashville 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.
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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