Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 484 schools to find the best for liberal arts general studies students.
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 530 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 355 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $45,243 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts general studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 35 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $26,094 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Chicago
Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $57,967 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Southern Methodist University
A rank of #5 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 13 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $46,072 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Cornell University
Yale University placed #6 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 24 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $61,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Yale University
Georgetown University placed #7 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 40 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $66,719 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Georgetown University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 19 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $37,709 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #9 for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 96 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $35,056 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
Get the full liberal arts general studies details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
James Madison University earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 173 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $49,408 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at James Madison University
Boston College placed #11 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Boston College awarded about 11 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $66,132 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Boston College
University Of Delaware landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 226 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $13,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Delaware
Harvard University came in at #13 for liberal arts general studies this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $54,555 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,126.
Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Harvard University
George Mason University landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 384 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from George Mason University earn around $41,398 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from George Mason University
San Diego State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 261 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $23,190 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,496 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts general studies details for San Diego State University
Pepperdine University came in at #16 for liberal arts general studies this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Pepperdine University
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #17 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 27 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Colorado Boulder
New York University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 629 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $38,447 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,787.
Get the full liberal arts general studies details for New York University
Auburn University earned the #19 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 16 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Auburn University
University Of Arizona placed #20 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $50,834 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Arizona
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $68,293 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Iowa came in at #22 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 204 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $40,791 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Iowa
Seattle Pacific University placed #23 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $52,713 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,188.
Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Seattle Pacific University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 30 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $41,661. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $25,993 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Sonoma State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sonoma State University awarded about 78 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $39,758 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Sonoma State University
Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts general studies this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 484 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
