Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 1551 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
Choosing a Great Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School
The liberal arts / sciences & humanities program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School ranking, 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.
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in the United States
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 / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 530 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / sciences & humanities from University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 415 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $69,994 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $46,072 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
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Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 24 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $61,133 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Georgetown University one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $66,719. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Georgetown University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 102 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $37,709 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 96 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $35,056 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
James Madison University placed #9 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 173 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $49,408. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Northwestern University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $59,139 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,312.
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Stony Brook University came in at #11 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. About 76% of students finish within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 33 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $74,387. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Stony Brook University
Southern Methodist University earned the #12 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 61 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $57,967 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Southern Methodist University
Boston College came in at #13 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Boston College earn around $66,132 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree.
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Harvard University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 26 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Harvard University earn around $54,555 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,126 to complete this degree.
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George Mason University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 384 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $41,398. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for George Mason University
San Diego State University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 275 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $23,190. Typical student debt for the program is $12,496.
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Pepperdine University landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 15 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans.
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University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 27 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $55,861 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
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University Of Florida earned the #19 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 108 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $58,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803.
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University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 90 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
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New York University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 727 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from New York University generally make around $39,652. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete this degree.
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University Of Richmond came in at #23 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans.
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University Of Iowa earned the #24 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 204 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,791. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete this degree.
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Wesleyan University placed #25 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education:
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 · 1551 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).
