Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Oak Ridge, TN (2026)
Oak Ridge, Tennessee has a population of about 32,088. The city’s median household income is $71,000 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Oak Ridge, with tuition ranging from $25,590 to $37,875 per year. In the Knoxville, TN metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $88,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Oak Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Oak Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 51.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, TN | 69.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 76.3 mi | $25,590 - $37,875 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is part of the Knoxville, TN metro area (BLS area code 28940). 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 | $52,790 | Knoxville, TN | $57,009 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | Knoxville, TN | $95,583 |
| Technical Writer | $73,700 | Knoxville, TN | $79,590 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,290 | Knoxville, TN | $65,108 |
| Editor | $50,950 | Knoxville, TN | $55,022 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $58,060 | Knoxville, TN | $62,700 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,550 | Knoxville, TN | $70,788 |
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.
Oak Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,088 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,000 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Anderson County | 105 workers, 10 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oak Ridge-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Farragut, TN – 8.9 mi away (22,282 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 15.1 mi away (23,026 pop)
- Knoxville, TN – 19.2 mi away (581,787 pop)
- Maryville, TN – 23.2 mi away (28,703 pop)
- Sevierville, TN – 41.0 mi away (24,882 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Oak Ridge, TN?
Our directory lists 3 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Oak Ridge. The closest is Bryan College-Dayton in Dayton, TN (51.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southern Adventist University (76.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Oak Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Oak Ridge are: Management Analyst ($88,510), Technical Writer ($73,700), Human Resources Specialist ($65,550). 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 Farragut instead of Oak Ridge?
Farragut, TN is 8.9 miles from Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Oak Ridge’s median household income of $71,000 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oak Ridge 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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