Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Blacksburg, VA (2026)
Blacksburg, Virginia has a population of about 45,288. The city’s median household income is $48,070 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 69.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Blacksburg, with tuition ranging from $2,545 to $82,818 per year. In the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $82,280 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Blacksburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Blacksburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | 60.5 mi | $2,545 - $14,199 | – |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | 76.3 mi | $64,758 - $82,818 | – |
| Guilford College | Greensboro, NC | 84.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | 87.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Blacksburg
Blacksburg is part of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area (BLS area code 13980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $58,660 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $63,279 |
| Management Analyst | $82,280 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $88,759 |
| Technical Writer | $61,420 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $66,257 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $63,360 | VA statewide | $68,350 |
| Editor | $79,080 | VA statewide | $85,307 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,950 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $71,143 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,580 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $68,587 |
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.
Blacksburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,288 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,070 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 69.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Blacksburg-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Christiansburg, VA – 6.3 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Salem, VA – 20.8 mi away (25,549 pop)
- Roanoke, VA – 26.0 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Bluefield, WV – 43.5 mi away (43,012 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 49.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Blacksburg, VA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Blacksburg. The closest is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Carolina A & T State University (87.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Blacksburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Blacksburg are: Management Analyst ($82,280), Editor ($79,080), Training and Development Specialist ($65,950). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Christiansburg instead of Blacksburg?
Christiansburg, VA is 6.3 miles from Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Blacksburg’s median household income of $48,070 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Blacksburg while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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 Virginia
- Main Liberal Arts Degree Guide
- Liberal Arts Programs by State
Back to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Virginia (2026)
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Virginia (2026)