Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Staunton, VA (2026)
Staunton, Virginia has a population of about 25,765. The city’s median household income is $62,586 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Staunton, with tuition ranging from $36,028 to $77,290 per year. In the Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA metro area, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $84,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Staunton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Staunton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | 21.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA | 84.9 mi | $36,028 - $50,500 | – |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | 92.2 mi | $62,600 - $77,290 | – |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 97.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | 98.9 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 Staunton
Staunton is part of the Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA metro area (BLS area code 44420). 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 | $51,290 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $56,301 |
| Management Analyst | $84,270 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $92,503 |
| Technical Writer | $84,000 | VA statewide | $92,206 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $63,360 | VA statewide | $69,550 |
| Editor | $79,080 | VA statewide | $86,806 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,190 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $67,168 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,730 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $67,761 |
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.
Staunton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,765 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,586 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Staunton-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Waynesboro, VA – 10.8 mi away (21,887 pop)
- Harrisonburg, VA – 21.7 mi away (72,470 pop)
- Charlottesville, VA – 32.4 mi away (99,664 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 52.9 mi away (123,795 pop)
- Roanoke, VA – 78.2 mi away (215,793 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Staunton, VA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Staunton. The closest is James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA (21.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (98.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Staunton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Staunton are: Management Analyst ($84,270), Technical Writer ($84,000), Editor ($79,080). 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 Waynesboro instead of Staunton?
Waynesboro, VA is 10.8 miles from Staunton 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 Staunton an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Staunton’s median household income of $62,586 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Staunton 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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