2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the The Plains States Region
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 150 schools to find the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in the The Plains States Region
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 Iowa tops our 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 204 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $40,791 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,269.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of North Dakota one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 111 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $42,948 in their early career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $24,901 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at St Olaf College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 12 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $40,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 207 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $42,527 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Truman State University one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Truman State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete this degree.
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Rockhurst University earned the #6 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $70,849 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete this degree.
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Mount Mercy University came in at #7 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $50,431. Mount Mercy University graduates carry a median of $27,709 in student loans.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #8 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $14,747 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $4,500.
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Johnson County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 1,509 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $29,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,700 to complete this degree.
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Bismarck State College placed #10 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Bismarck State College awarded about 307 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Bismarck State College earn around $33,358 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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St Catherine University landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 61% of students finish within six years. St Catherine University awarded about 16 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $60,427 in their early career. St Catherine University graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans.
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Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #12 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates 68% of students within six years. About 56 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $44,857. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans.
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Winona State University landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 52 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $46,673 in their early career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $13,062 in student loans.
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Northwest Missouri State University placed #14 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 58 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete this degree.
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Des Moines Area Community College placed #15 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 834 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $31,453 in their early career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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University Of Mary earned the #16 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. University Of Mary graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 327 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $40,892 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,310.
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Saint Cloud State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 109 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Saint Cloud State University earn around $51,625 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
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Hutchinson Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. About 487 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,151 in their early career. Hutchinson Community College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
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Midamerica Nazarene University earned the #21 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 10 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Midamerica Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Midamerica Nazarene University earn around $63,799 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,740.
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Central Community College placed #22 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Central Community College awarded about 153 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $26,198 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,313 to complete this degree.
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Pittsburg State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 627 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $36,597 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
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Century College placed #24 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. There were roughly 388 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Century College earn a median of $38,376 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete this degree.
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Metropolitan Community College Area placed #25 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Metropolitan Community College Area awarded about 524 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $33,011. Students borrow a median of $10,214 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
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Notes and References
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 · 150 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.