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2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Washington

28 Colleges in the United States
13,424 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$36,280 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts / sciences & humanities education in Washington.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

1

Leading the list is Seattle Pacific University, our #1 school for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 37 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $52,713. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Seattle Pacific University

2

Highline Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Des Moines. There were roughly 393 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Highline Community College earn around $31,291 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,678 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Highline Community College

3

Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 202 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent year. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Seattle Community College South Campus

4

Columbia Basin College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 781 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $63,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Columbia Basin College

5
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

A rank of #5 makes Bellevue College one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. There were roughly 982 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Bellevue College earn around $29,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,598 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Bellevue College

6

Everett Community College placed #6 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. Everett Community College awarded about 677 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $30,993. Typical student debt for the program is $8,125. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Everett Community College

7
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University earned the #7 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $35,398 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Seattle University

8

Seattle Community College North Campus placed #8 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 226 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College North Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,643. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Seattle Community College North Campus

9

Yakima Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Yakima Valley Community College awarded about 408 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $26,743. Typical student debt for the program is $8,367. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Yakima Valley Community College

10

Washington State University earned the #10 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 88 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $40,061. Students borrow a median of $22,881 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Washington State University

11

Wenatchee Valley College placed #11 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 363 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Wenatchee Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,203 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,936. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Wenatchee Valley College

12

Shoreline Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 349 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Shoreline Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $28,804. Students borrow a median of $8,895 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Shoreline Community College

13

Cascadia Community College came in at #13 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. Cascadia Community College awarded about 257 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,352 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Cascadia Community College

14

Renton Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Renton. About 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Renton Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $80,411 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,582. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Renton Technical College

15
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College placed #15 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Olympic College awarded about 624 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $29,917. Students borrow a median of $6,598 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Olympic College

16

Big Bend Community College came in at #16 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Moses Lake, Big Bend Community College is a mid-sized public university. Big Bend Community College awarded about 271 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Big Bend Community College earn around $22,737 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Big Bend Community College

17

Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #17 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 317 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Seattle Community College Central Campus earn around $28,025 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Seattle Community College Central Campus

18

Western Washington University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 10 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Western Washington University earn around $41,118 in the first couple years of their career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Western Washington University

19

Tacoma Community College placed #19 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tacoma. There were roughly 592 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Tacoma Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $25,892. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Tacoma Community College

20

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #20 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 31 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $30,437 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,323 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

21

Spokane Community College came in at #21 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Spokane. Spokane Community College awarded about 348 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $34,583 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,455. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Spokane Community College

22

South Puget Sound Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. South Puget Sound Community College awarded about 530 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $29,056 in their early career. South Puget Sound Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from South Puget Sound Community College

23

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned the #23 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. There were roughly 1,128 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,944. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

24

University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #24 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 21 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $30,437 in their early career. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

25

City University Of Seattle landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. City University Of Seattle awarded about 18 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from City University Of Seattle earn around $76,698 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for City University Of Seattle

Rest of the Top 42 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities ranking:

26
27
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA
28
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA
29
30
31
32
33
34
Centralia College crest
Centralia College
Centralia, WA
35
36
37
Grays Harbor College crest
Grays Harbor College
Aberdeen, WA
38
39
40
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA
41
42

View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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