Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Petersburg, VA (2026)
Petersburg, Virginia has a population of about 33,365. The city’s median household income is $50,741 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 47 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Petersburg, with tuition ranging from $4,848 to $77,290 per year for indexed programs. In the Richmond, VA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $93,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Petersburg
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 47 schools in our directory that offer liberal arts programs near Petersburg. Distances are calculated from Petersburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richard Bland College | South Prince George, VA | 3.3 mi | $8,850 - $19,405 | – |
| Brightpoint Community College | Chester, VA | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 24.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 25.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | 27.0 mi | $62,600 - $77,290 | – |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond, VA | 30.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg, VA | 37.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Alberta, VA | 38.5 mi | $4,848 - $13,401 | – |
| Randolph-Macon College | Ashland, VA | 38.7 mi | $48,002 - $61,174 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Petersburg
Petersburg is part of the Richmond, VA metro area (BLS area code 40060). 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 | $72,070 | Richmond, VA | $73,616 |
| Management Analyst | $93,950 | Richmond, VA | $95,965 |
| Technical Writer | $76,850 | Richmond, VA | $78,498 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $57,610 | Richmond, VA | $58,846 |
| Editor | $74,700 | Richmond, VA | $76,302 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $73,290 | Richmond, VA | $74,862 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,990 | Richmond, VA | $76,599 |
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.
Petersburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,365 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,741 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Petersburg-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Hopewell, VA – 7.9 mi away (22,735 pop)
- Richmond, VA – 22.9 mi away (1,041,877 pop)
- Williamsburg, VA – 37.9 mi away (81,840 pop)
- Newport News, VA – 48.6 mi away (181,825 pop)
- Roanoke Rapids, NC – 54.3 mi away (23,546 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts schools are near Petersburg, VA?
Our directory has 47 accredited schools offering liberal arts programs near Petersburg. The closest is Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA (2.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Randolph-Macon College (38.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Petersburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Petersburg are: Management Analyst ($93,950), Technical Writer ($76,850), Human Resources Specialist ($74,990). 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 Hopewell instead of Petersburg?
Hopewell, VA is 7.9 miles from Petersburg 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 Petersburg an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Petersburg’s median household income of $50,741 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Petersburg 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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