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2024 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

380 Colleges in the United States
43,302 Bachelor's Degrees
$32,881 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #13 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 380 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of liberal arts general studies. Combined, these schools handed out 43,302 bachelor's degrees in liberal arts general studies to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools The liberal arts bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

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.


 

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Liberal Arts General Studies in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts

1
273 Annual Graduates
$41,004 Median Starting Salary
$19,052 Median Student Debt

It's difficult to beat The University of Texas at Austin if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin receive $8,123 more than the standard liberal arts grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from The University of Texas at Austin

2
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
595 Annual Graduates
$36,142 Median Starting Salary
$21,787 Median Student Debt

New York University is a great option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from New York University make $3,261 more than the standard liberal arts grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from New York University

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
32 Annual Graduates
$74,919 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Georgetown University is a great choice for students interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Georgetown University make $42,038 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Georgetown University

4
Bentley crest
Bentley University
Waltham, MA
120 Annual Graduates
$62,629 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

It is difficult to beat Bentley University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Bentley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Waltham.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Bentley University get an earnings boost of about $29,748 over the typical income of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Bentley University

5

Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from University of Chicago receive an earnings boost of approximately $10,443 above the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Chicago

6
9 Annual Graduates
$85,273 Median Starting Salary
$11,935 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn $52,392 more than the typical liberal arts student.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

7
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
9 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Pennsylvania

8

Located in the large suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at Southern Methodist University get $14,863 above the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Southern Methodist University

9
333 Annual Graduates
$41,464 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Norman, University of Oklahoma is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn $8,583 above the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

10
33 Annual Graduates
$49,578 Median Starting Salary
$25,993 Median Student Debt

NC State is a very large public university located in the large city of Raleigh.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from North Carolina State University get an earnings boost of around $16,697 over the typical income of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from North Carolina State University

11
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
54 Annual Graduates
$52,955 Median Starting Salary
$27,154 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Drexel University receive an earnings boost of around $20,074 over the typical income of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Drexel University

12
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
48 Annual Graduates
$37,247 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Villanova University receive $4,366 more than the typical liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Villanova University

13
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
93 Annual Graduates
$59,652 Median Starting Salary
$42,350 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from DePaul University receive $26,771 more than the standard liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from DePaul University

14
36 Annual Graduates
$34,497 Median Starting Salary
$18,800 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn around $34,497 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Notre Dame

15
1,105 Annual Graduates
$48,678 Median Starting Salary
$29,084 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at Southern New Hampshire University get $15,797 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Southern New Hampshire University

16
97 Annual Graduates
$42,075 Median Starting Salary
$22,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from University of Connecticut receive an earnings boost of about $9,194 above the typical income of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Connecticut

17
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
116 Annual Graduates
$36,932 Median Starting Salary
$22,500 Median Student Debt

KU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Lawrence.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at University of Kansas earn $4,051 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Kansas

18
232 Annual Graduates
$38,340 Median Starting Salary
$30,676 Median Student Debt

USF Tampa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tampa.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from University of South Florida - Main Campus earn $5,459 more than the standard liberal arts grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of South Florida - Main Campus

19
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
218 Annual Graduates
$38,648 Median Starting Salary
$25,269 Median Student Debt

Iowa is a very large public university located in the city of Iowa City.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Iowa make $5,767 more than the average liberal arts student.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Iowa

20
Providence crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Located in the medium-sized city of Providence, Providence is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Providence College receive $12,143 more than the typical liberal arts student.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Providence College

21
357 Annual Graduates
$34,587 Median Starting Salary
$24,500 Median Student Debt

GMU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax.

After graduation, liberal arts bachelor's recipients typically make an average of $34,587 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from George Mason University

22

Purdue is a very large public university located in the city of West Lafayette.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Purdue University - Main Campus earn a boost of about $17,115 above the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Purdue University - Main Campus

23
Wesleyan U crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
12 Annual Graduates
$38,232 Median Starting Salary
$16,125 Median Student Debt

Wesleyan U is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Middletown.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Wesleyan University get an earnings boost of about $5,351 above the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Wesleyan University

24
1,621 Annual Graduates
$45,508 Median Starting Salary
$11,875 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Albany, Excelsior University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Excelsior University earn a boost of approximately $12,627 over the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Excelsior University

25
186 Annual Graduates
$42,929 Median Starting Salary
$24,258 Median Student Debt

Wayland Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the remote town of Plainview.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University get an earnings boost of about $10,048 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Wayland Baptist University

Rest of the Top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

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Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, MO
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33
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

34
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
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45
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA
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49
St. John's Annapolis crest
St John's College
Annapolis, MD
50

Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the schools awarded a Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 380 different United States liberal arts general studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 The King’s College New York, NY
52 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
53 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
54 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
55 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
56 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
57 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
58 Ball State University Muncie, IN
59 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
60 Washington State University Pullman, WA
61 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
62 National University San Diego, CA
63 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
64 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
65 Marshall University Huntington, WV
66 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
67 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
68 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
69 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
70 Seattle University Seattle, WA
71 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
72 Montana State University Bozeman, MT
73 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
74 Lee University Cleveland, TN
75 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
76 Portland State University Portland, OR

Liberal Arts General Studies by Region

View the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Liberal Arts General Studies is one of 0 different types of Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs to choose from.

Liberal Arts Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 24,975
General Studies 13,266
Individualized Studies 3,316
Humanities 1,745

Notes and References

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