Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Fairfax, VA (2026)
Fairfax, Virginia has a population of about 24,478. The city’s median household income is $132,774 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 62.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Fairfax, with tuition ranging from $36,028 to $84,696 per year. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $125,820 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Fairfax
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Fairfax city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American University | Washington, DC | 12.7 mi | $56,543 - $71,549 | – |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 12.8 mi | $65,081 - $84,696 | – |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA | 51.0 mi | $36,028 - $50,500 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Fairfax
Fairfax is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). 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 | $95,370 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $87,576 |
| Management Analyst | $125,820 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $115,537 |
| Technical Writer | $97,810 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,816 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $99,730 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $91,579 |
| Editor | $80,990 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,371 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $82,330 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,601 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $97,340 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,385 |
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.
Fairfax at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,478 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $132,774 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 62.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Fairfax (city) County | 7 workers, 7 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fairfax-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Herndon, VA – 9.3 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Alexandria, VA – 11.7 mi away (155,810 pop)
- Manassas, VA – 12.3 mi away (41,483 pop)
- Washington, DC – 15.7 mi away (5,191,844 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 17.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Fairfax, VA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Fairfax. The closest is George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shenandoah University (51.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Fairfax?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Fairfax are: Management Analyst ($125,820), News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist ($99,730), Technical Writer ($97,810). 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 Herndon instead of Fairfax?
Herndon, VA is 9.3 miles from Fairfax 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 Fairfax an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Fairfax’s median household income of $132,774 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fairfax 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
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