2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Washington
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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.
- 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.