College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

28 Colleges in the United States
1,547 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$40,736 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools to find the best for liberal arts students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Pennsylvania

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 110 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,293 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 46 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Wilkes University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Wilkes University

3

Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #3. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 37 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $25,515 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Carnegie Mellon University

4

University Of Scranton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $56,861 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Scranton

5

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in liberal arts from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

6
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #6 among the best liberal arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $62,470 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $27,154 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Drexel University

7
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Villanova University awarded about 13 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $52,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Villanova University

8

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #8 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 36 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,467 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

9

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. About 11 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $39,028 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,867. See the full liberal arts program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

10
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from La Salle University earn around $23,774 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $4,004 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for La Salle University

11
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #11 position for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $35,205 in their early career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $34,372 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Temple University

12
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern University awarded about 50 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,442 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Eastern University

13

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #13 among the best liberal arts schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 38 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn around $50,933 in the first couple years of their career. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates carry a median of $25,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

14

Neumann University came in at #14 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Neumann University awarded about 29 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Neumann University earn a median of $35,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Neumann University

15

Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #15 for liberal arts this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. There were roughly 151 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Philadelphia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $32,697. Community College Of Philadelphia graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Community College Of Philadelphia

16

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. About 56% of students finish within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 15 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $31,805. Typical student debt for the program is $27,128. See the full liberal arts program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

17

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 34 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $31,038 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

18

Delaware County Community College placed #18 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Delaware County Community College awarded about 74 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $29,277 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Delaware County Community College

19

Montgomery County Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blue Bell. About 222 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $25,868 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Montgomery County Community College

20
Peirce College crest
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA

Peirce College came in at #20 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 72 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Peirce College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Peirce College generally make around $53,071. Typical student debt for the program is $44,247. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Peirce College

21

Pennsylvania Western University earned the #21 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 26 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Pennsylvania Western University earn around $33,989 in the first couple years of their career. Pennsylvania Western University graduates carry a median of $30,140 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Pennsylvania Western University

22

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #22 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. About 20 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,455. Typical student debt for the program is $16,643. Read more about the liberal arts program at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg

23

Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #23 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. About 101 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Community College Of Allegheny County earn around $25,898 in the first couple years of their career. Community College Of Allegheny County graduates carry a median of $14,217 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Community College Of Allegheny County

24

Westmoreland County Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Youngwood. Westmoreland County Community College awarded about 67 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Westmoreland County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Westmoreland County Community College

25

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn around $39,246 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington

Rest of the Top 28 Liberal Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts education:

26
27
28
Lackawanna College crest
Lackawanna College
Scranton, PA

View All Liberal Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options