Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Waynesboro, VA (2026)
Waynesboro, Virginia has a population of about 22,574. The city’s median household income is $56,364 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Waynesboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | 25.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | 81.6 mi | $62,600 - $77,290 | – |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA | 85.8 mi | $36,028 - $50,500 | – |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 86.8 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 Waynesboro
Waynesboro 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.
Waynesboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,574 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,364 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Waynesboro-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs
- Staunton, VA – 10.8 mi away (58,077 pop)
- Charlottesville, VA – 22.7 mi away (99,664 pop)
- Harrisonburg, VA – 25.5 mi away (72,470 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 48.7 mi away (123,795 pop)
- Fredericksburg, VA – 78.5 mi away (164,610 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Waynesboro, VA?
Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Waynesboro. The closest is James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA (25.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Virginia Commonwealth University (86.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles near Waynesboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles near Waynesboro 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 Staunton instead of Waynesboro?
Staunton, VA is 10.8 miles from Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro an affordable place to study liberal arts?
Waynesboro’s median household income of $56,364 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waynesboro 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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