Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Abilene, TX (2026)
Abilene, Texas has a population of about 127,130. The city’s median household income is $62,720 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Texas, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Technical Writer at a median $79,060 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Abilene
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Abilene city center.
No Abilene-area programs are currently indexed in our directory.
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Abilene
Abilene is part of the Abilene, TX metro area (BLS area code 10180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $50,250 | Abilene, TX | $55,586 |
| Management Analyst | $74,730 | Abilene, TX | $82,666 |
| Technical Writer | $79,060 | TX statewide | $87,456 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,320 | TX statewide | $66,726 |
| Editor | $28,860 | TX statewide | $31,925 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $54,610 | Abilene, TX | $60,409 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $59,040 | Abilene, TX | $65,310 |
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.
Abilene at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Taylor County | 135 workers, 15 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Abilene-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Brownwood, TX – 67.9 mi away (22,551 pop)
- San Angelo, TX – 81.4 mi away (100,472 pop)
- Stephenville, TX – 90.1 mi away (20,213 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Abilene?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Abilene are: Technical Writer ($79,060), Management Analyst ($74,730), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($60,320). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brownwood instead of Abilene?
Brownwood, TX is 67.9 miles from Abilene 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 Abilene an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Abilene’s median household income of $62,720 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Abilene while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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.