Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Suffolk, VA (2026)
Suffolk, Virginia has a population of about 96,638. The city’s median household income is $90,089 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Suffolk, with tuition ranging from $2,540 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 Suffolk
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Suffolk city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 74.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | 78.5 mi | $62,600 - $77,290 | – |
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | 82.3 mi | $2,540 - $15,189 | – |
| East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 85.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wilson Community College | Wilson, NC | 96.6 mi | $2,572 - $13,807 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia liberal arts page.
Liberal Arts Wages Near Suffolk
Suffolk 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.
Suffolk at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 96,638 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,089 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Suffolk-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Chesapeake, VA – 18.7 mi away (237,940 pop)
- Portsmouth, VA – 19.0 mi away (95,252 pop)
- Norfolk, VA – 25.2 mi away (245,115 pop)
- Newport News, VA – 29.1 mi away (181,825 pop)
- Hampton, VA – 29.2 mi away (135,410 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Suffolk, VA?
Our directory lists 5 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Suffolk. The closest is Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (74.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wilson Community College (96.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Suffolk?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Suffolk 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 Chesapeake instead of Suffolk?
Chesapeake, VA is 18.7 miles from Suffolk 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 Suffolk an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Suffolk’s median household income of $90,089 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Suffolk 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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