Liberal Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 1091 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for liberal arts can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Liberal Arts Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts School ranking, 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts Schools list, to help you choose. 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 have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 530 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 200 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $69,994 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes Georgetown University one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Georgetown University earn around $66,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Georgetown University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 36 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for liberal arts. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 19 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $37,709 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #6 spot for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 83 liberal arts degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $35,056 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
Get the full liberal arts details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
James Madison University came in at #7 for liberal arts this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 173 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $49,408 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for James Madison University
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 60 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $59,139. Typical student debt for the program is $19,312.
Get the full liberal arts details for Northwestern University
Stony Brook University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 27 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Stony Brook University earn around $74,387 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Stony Brook University
Southern Methodist University placed #10 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $57,967 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Southern Methodist University
Boston College earned the #11 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 11 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101.
Get the full liberal arts details for Boston College
George Mason University earned the #12 position for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 101 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500.
Read more about the liberal arts program at George Mason University
San Diego State University came in at #13 for liberal arts this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 268 liberal arts degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $23,190. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $12,496 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for San Diego State University
Pepperdine University earned the #14 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $57,582 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Pepperdine University
University Of Florida earned the #15 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 108 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Florida
New York University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 658 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from New York University earn around $39,652 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,787.
Read more about the liberal arts program at New York University
University Of Richmond placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 29 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Richmond
University Of Iowa came in at #18 for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 203 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,791. Typical student debt for the program is $25,269.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Iowa
Wesleyan University earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
Get the full liberal arts details for Wesleyan University
Johns Hopkins University landed the #20 spot for liberal arts this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 43 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $45,147. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts details for Johns Hopkins University
Seattle Pacific University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 23 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts 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 program at Seattle Pacific University
Sonoma State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 78 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $39,758. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Get the full liberal arts details for Sonoma State University
Syracuse University earned the #23 position for liberal arts this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 16 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Syracuse University
California State University Fullerton earned the #24 position for liberal arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 142 liberal arts degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $24,706 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,535 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University Fullerton
San Jose State University placed #25 among the best liberal arts schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 48 liberal arts degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full liberal arts details for San Jose State University
Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts ranking:
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 · 1091 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).
