2027 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia
Liberal Arts General Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts general studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Virginia
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 general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for liberal arts general studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 530 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Virginia Main Campus
James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 173 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from James Madison University earn around $49,408 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 384 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from George Mason University earn around $41,398 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
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University Of Richmond is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #4. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Richmond awarded about 30 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Richmond earn around $53,815 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. About 48 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $37,677. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $22,354 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Mary Washington
Longwood University landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 41 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $46,714 early in their careers. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Longwood University
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #7 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 825 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,249 early in their careers. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans.
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Bridgewater College came in at #8 for liberal arts general studies this year. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $46,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Eastern Mennonite University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Mennonite University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Eastern Mennonite University earn around $46,585 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Eastern Mennonite University
Hampton University placed #10 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 37 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Hampton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $37,179. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Hampton University
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #11 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 981 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $21,827. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete this degree.
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John Tyler Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. About 645 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at John Tyler Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,346 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for John Tyler Community College
Tidewater Community College earned the #13 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. There were roughly 887 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,971 to complete this degree.
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Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. About 434 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn around $24,029 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,625.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Germanna Community College came in at #15 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Germanna Community College awarded about 1,041 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Germanna Community College earn around $26,563 in the first couple years of their career. Germanna Community College graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans.
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The University Of Virginias College At Wise placed #16 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The University Of Virginias College At Wise awarded about 77 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete this degree.
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Mary Baldwin College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Mary Baldwin College graduates 39% of students within six years. About 20 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $40,887. Mary Baldwin College graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Mary Baldwin College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #18 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. About 702 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $27,924 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,125.
More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Bluefield College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. About 18% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Bluefield College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $49,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,780 to complete this degree.
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Southside Virginia Community College placed #20 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 539 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies 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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Thomas Nelson Community College placed #21 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. About 218 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $31,228. Thomas Nelson Community College graduates carry a median of $8,165 in student loans.
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Rappahannock Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. Rappahannock Community College awarded about 428 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College generally make around $24,024. Students borrow a median of $6,792 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Rappahannock Community College
Virginia Western Community College came in at #23 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Virginia Western Community College awarded about 286 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Virginia Western Community College earn around $22,382 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Western Community College graduates carry a median of $10,988 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Virginia Western Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #24 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 175 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. Southwest Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Southwest Virginia Community College
New River Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 253 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at New River Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from New River Community College earn around $25,746 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 36 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies 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 · 36 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.
