2024 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia
25
Colleges in Virginia
5,676
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Ranked #2 in popularity,
liberal arts is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
In 2024, College Factual analyzed 25 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,676 degrees in liberal arts during the 2021-2022 academic year.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School
Your choice of liberal arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pick Your Liberal Arts Degree Level
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia list to help you make the college decision.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
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Featured Liberal Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Liberal Arts
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in General Studies
Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Virginia
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Virginia Schools in Liberal Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
17th
Most Popular In VA
93
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Any student pursuing a degree in liberal arts has to check out George Mason University. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.
There were about 93 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In VA
243
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
It's difficult to beat James Madison University if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts. Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #169 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 243 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from James Madison UniversityBachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
25th
Most Popular In VA
33
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
It is difficult to beat Eastern Mennonite University if you want to pursue a degree in liberal arts. Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #497 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Eastern Mennonite is a great university overall.
There were roughly 33 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Mennonite in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
18th
Most Popular In VA
76
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
University of Mary Washington is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Located in the midsize suburb of Fredericksburg, UMW is a public university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #848 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMW is a great university overall.
There were roughly 76 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at UMW in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University of Mary WashingtonAssociate Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In VA
328
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1071 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Southside Virginia Community College is a great college overall.
There were roughly 328 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In VA
813
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Germanna Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Locust Grove. A Best Colleges rank of #1174 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Germanna Community College is a great college overall.
There were roughly 813 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Germanna Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Germanna Community CollegeAssociate Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In VA
237
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Patrick Henry is a small public college located in the rural area of Martinsville. A Best Colleges rank of #1537 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Patrick Henry is a great college overall.
There were about 237 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Patrick Henry in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Patrick Henry Community CollegeBridgewater is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Bridgewater. A Best Colleges rank of #1327 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Bridgewater is a great college overall.
There were approximately 19 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Bridgewater CollegeAssociate Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In VA
445
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Middletown. A Best Colleges rank of #1682 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Lord Fairfax Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 445 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Lord Fairfax Community CollegeMarymount is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Arlington. A Best Colleges rank of #574 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Marymount is a great university overall.
There were about 11 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Marymount in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Marymount University