2024 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia
25
Colleges in Virginia
5,961
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. Combined, these schools handed out 5,961 degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.
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.
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
90
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Any student pursuing a degree in liberal arts has to look into George Mason University. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.
There were about 90 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 University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In VA
263
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
It is 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 schools nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 263 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from James Madison University
It is hard 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 schools nationwide means Eastern Mennonite is a great university overall.
There were roughly 25 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 University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
18th
Most Popular In VA
80
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
University of Mary Washington is one of the best schools in the United States 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 schools nationwide means UMW is a great university overall.
There were approximately 80 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 Washington
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In VA
334
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 schools nationwide means Southside Virginia Community College is a great college overall.
There were roughly 334 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southside Virginia Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In VA
757
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Germanna Community College is a medium-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 757 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 College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In VA
239
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 roughly 239 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 College
Bridgewater is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Bridgewater. A Best Colleges rank of #1327 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Bridgewater is a great college overall.
There were approximately 18 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Bridgewater College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In VA
499
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 schools nationwide means Lord Fairfax Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 499 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 College
Marymount 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 approximately 10 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Marymount in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Marymount University
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