Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Fairmont, WV (2026)

Fairmont, West Virginia has a population of about 18,303. The city’s median household income is $60,791 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Fairmont. In West Virginia, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $94,060 annually (BLS, May 2024).


Closest Liberal Arts Schools to Fairmont

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Fairmont city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Carlow UniversityPittsburgh, PA67.2 miContact school for pricing
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA67.6 miContact school for pricing
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA67.8 miContact school for pricing
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA99.9 miContact school for pricing

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all West Virginia schools on the West Virginia liberal arts page.


Liberal Arts Wages Near Fairmont

OccupationMedian Annual Wage (West Virginia, statewide)
Public Relations Specialist$52,080
Management Analyst$94,060
Technical Writer$62,250
News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist$36,440
Editor$76,760
Training and Development Specialist$61,310
Human Resources Specialist$62,300

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.


Fairmont at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population18,303Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$60,791Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+31.1%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)

Other Fairmont-Area Cities With Liberal Arts Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited liberal arts programs are near Fairmont, WV?

Our directory lists 4 liberal arts programs within 100 miles of Fairmont. The closest is Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA (67.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is James Madison University (99.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying liberal arts roles in West Virginia?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in West Virginia are: Management Analyst ($94,060), Editor ($76,760), Human Resources Specialist ($62,300). Wages for Fairmont workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Morgantown instead of Fairmont?

Morgantown, WV is 15.5 miles from Fairmont 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 Fairmont an affordable place to study liberal arts?

Fairmont’s median household income of $60,791 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fairmont while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and West 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.