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2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools

484 Colleges in the United States
50,437 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$40,724 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 484 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in the United States

These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

1

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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 530 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $69,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 355 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $45,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at The University Of Texas At Austin

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from University Of Chicago earn around $26,094 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Chicago

4

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 61 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $57,967. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Southern Methodist University

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $46,072 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Cornell University

6
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #6 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 24 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Yale University earn around $61,133 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Yale University

7
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University placed #7 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgetown University awarded about 40 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $66,719 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Georgetown University

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 19 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $37,709. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #9 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. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 96 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $35,056 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

10
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 173 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $49,408. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from James Madison University

11
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Boston College

12

University Of Delaware placed #12 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 226 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $13,833 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Delaware

13
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #13 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. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 26 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent 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. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Harvard University

14

George Mason University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 384 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from George Mason University earn around $41,398 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from George Mason University

15

San Diego State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 261 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. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for San Diego State University

16

Pepperdine University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Pepperdine University earn around $57,582 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Pepperdine University

17

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #17 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 27 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $55,861 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Colorado Boulder

18
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #18 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 629 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from New York University earn around $38,447 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for New York University

19
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #19 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Auburn University

20

University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 90 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent 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. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Arizona

21
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 49 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $68,293 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Pennsylvania

22
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 204 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $40,791 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,269 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Iowa

23

Seattle Pacific University earned the #23 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 27 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $52,713 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Seattle Pacific University

24

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 30 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $41,661 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,993. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

25
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #25 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sonoma State University awarded about 78 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Sonoma State University earn around $39,758 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Sonoma State University

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education:

26
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
27
28
29
30
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
31
32
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
33
34
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
35
36
37
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
38
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
39
40
41
42
43
44
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
45
46
47
48
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
49
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
50

Additional Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Award Winners

These schools also stood out for liberal arts / sciences & humanities:

Rank School Location
#51 West Chester University Of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
#52 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
#53 University Of Wisconsin La Crosse La Crosse, WI
#54 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
#55 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
#56 California State University Chico Chico, CA
#57 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
#58 University Of Central Florida Orlando, FL
#59 California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#60 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
#61 University Of San Diego San Diego, CA
#62 California State University Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
#63 California State Polytechnic University Pomona Pomona, CA
#64 Champlain College Burlington, VT
#65 Cuny City College New York, NY
#66 Worcester State University Worcester, MA
#67 California State University Monterey Bay Seaside, CA
#68 Saint John Fisher College Rochester, NY
#69 California State University Northridge Northridge, CA
#70 California State University San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
#71 University Of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
#72 Endicott College Beverly, MA
#73 University Of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
#74 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
#75 California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for liberal arts / sciences & humanities:

Other Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degree Levels

Explore the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Associate's Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Master's Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 484 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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