Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Odessa, TX (2026)
Odessa, Texas has a population of about 114,080. The city’s median household income is $73,030 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In the Odessa, TX metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $85,140 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Odessa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Odessa city center.
No Odessa-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 Odessa
Odessa is part of the Odessa, TX metro area (BLS area code 36220). 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 | $52,220 | Odessa, TX | $55,612 |
| Management Analyst | $85,140 | Odessa, TX | $90,671 |
| Technical Writer | $79,060 | TX statewide | $84,196 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $60,320 | TX statewide | $64,239 |
| Editor | $28,860 | TX statewide | $30,735 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,640 | Odessa, TX | $66,709 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,850 | Odessa, TX | $74,388 |
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.
Odessa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Odessa-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Midland, TX – 16.8 mi away (142,680 pop)
- Big Spring, TX – 56.1 mi away (29,267 pop)
- Hobbs, NM – 75.5 mi away (41,021 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Odessa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Odessa are: Management Analyst ($85,140), Technical Writer ($79,060), Human Resources Specialist ($69,850). 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 Midland instead of Odessa?
Midland, TX is 16.8 miles from Odessa 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 Odessa an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Odessa’s median household income of $73,030 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Odessa 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.