2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia
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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 530 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
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James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #2. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 173 liberal arts degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from James Madison University earn around $49,408 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 101 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Richmond one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634.
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University Of Mary Washington came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $37,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,354 to complete this degree.
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Longwood University came in at #6 for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Longwood University awarded about 41 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Longwood University earn around $46,714 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,375.
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Bridgewater College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $46,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Mennonite University came in at #8 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Eastern Mennonite University graduates 67% of students within six years. Eastern Mennonite University awarded about 14 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Mennonite University earn a median of $46,585 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Hampton University came in at #9 for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hampton. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 29 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Hampton University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $37,179 early in their careers. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #10 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Middletown. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded about 337 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $21,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete this degree.
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Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #11 for liberal arts this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave awarded about 226 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $24,029. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete this degree.
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Germanna Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. About 781 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Germanna Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,563 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,227 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #13 for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Wise. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Virginias College At Wise awarded about 77 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Typical student debt for the program is $17,714.
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Mary Baldwin College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. About 39% of students finish within six years. Mary Baldwin College awarded about 20 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $40,887 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete this degree.
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Southside Virginia Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. About 322 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Rappahannock Community College placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Glenns. There were roughly 193 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Rappahannock Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Rappahannock Community College earn a median of $24,024 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,792.
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Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. About 35 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southwest Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. Southwest Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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New River Community College earned the #18 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 170 liberal arts degrees were awarded at New River Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,746 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete this degree.
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Patrick Henry Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. Patrick Henry Community College awarded about 188 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Shore Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. About 15 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Shore Community College in the most recent year.
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Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Dabney S Lancaster Community College awarded about 18 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year.
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Danville Community College placed #22 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Danville. Danville Community College awarded about 128 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Danville Community College earn around $28,056 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete this degree.
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Virginia Highlands Community College earned the #23 position for liberal arts this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. About 98 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Highlands Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Virginia Highlands Community College earn around $16,365 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Wytheville Community College placed #24 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Wytheville. There were roughly 158 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Wytheville Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $22,162 in their early career. Wytheville Community College graduates carry a median of $8,438 in student loans.
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Central Virginia Community College placed #25 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 279 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Central Virginia Community College earn around $19,009 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,758.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Central Virginia Community College
Rest of the Top 28 Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 28 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
