Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Shelbyville, TN (2026)
Shelbyville, Tennessee has a population of about 24,125. The city’s median household income is $52,290 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Shelbyville, with tuition ranging from $13,420 to $68,704 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 Shelbyville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 39 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Shelbyville. Distances are calculated from Shelbyville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motlow State Community College | Tullahoma, TN | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of the South | Sewanee, TN | 36.2 mi | $53,698 - $68,704 | – |
| Columbia State Community College | Columbia, TN | 37.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski, TN | 38.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 46.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Nashville | Nashville, TN | 46.4 mi | $13,420 | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 47.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belmont University | Nashville, TN | 48.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 48.9 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 Shelbyville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Tennessee, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,200 |
| Management Analyst | $97,410 |
| Technical Writer | $76,950 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $59,030 |
| Editor | $51,060 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $57,930 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,200 |
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.
Shelbyville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,125 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,290 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Bedford County | 38 workers, 6 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Shelbyville-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Murfreesboro, TN – 24.4 mi away (161,634 pop)
- Spring Hill, TN – 30.9 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Smyrna, TN – 33.0 mi away (48,596 pop)
- Columbia, TN – 34.6 mi away (37,845 pop)
- La Vergne, TN – 36.5 mi away (35,071 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Shelbyville, TN?
Our directory has 39 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Shelbyville. The closest is Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, TN (12.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Vanderbilt University (48.9 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 Shelbyville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Murfreesboro instead of Shelbyville?
Murfreesboro, TN is 24.4 miles from Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Shelbyville’s median household income of $52,290 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Shelbyville 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.
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