Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Newport News, VA (2026)
Newport News, Virginia has a population of about 184,774. The city’s median household income is $66,718 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Newport News, with tuition ranging from $62,600 to $77,290 per year. In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $98,690 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Newport News
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Newport News city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 59.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | 64.9 mi | $62,600 - $77,290 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Newport News
Newport News is part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area (BLS area code 47260). 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 | $69,460 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $70,950 |
| Management Analyst | $98,690 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,807 |
| Technical Writer | $76,990 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $78,641 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $50,360 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $51,440 |
| Editor | $67,930 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $69,387 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $74,080 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $75,669 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,570 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $75,148 |
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.
Newport News at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,718 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Newport News-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Hampton, VA – 9.2 mi away (135,410 pop)
- Williamsburg, VA – 15.4 mi away (81,840 pop)
- Portsmouth, VA – 20.0 mi away (95,252 pop)
- Norfolk, VA – 20.4 mi away (245,115 pop)
- Suffolk, VA – 29.1 mi away (89,273 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Newport News, VA?
Our directory lists 2 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Newport News. The closest is Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (59.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Richmond (64.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Newport News?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Newport News are: Management Analyst ($98,690), Technical Writer ($76,990), Training and Development Specialist ($74,080). 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 Hampton instead of Newport News?
Hampton, VA is 9.2 miles from Newport News 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 Newport News an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Newport News’s median household income of $66,718 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Newport News 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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