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2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

1,148 Colleges
$28,337 Avg Salary
$17,430 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies School for You

In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees and certificates were awarded to liberal arts general studies students, making the major the most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 1,148 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the United States

Check out the liberal arts programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best school in the United States for liberal arts general studies students. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from American Military University carry an average student debtload of $5,688.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list. MIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from MIT carry an average student debtload of $12,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $663.

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#3

Excelsior College

Albany, NY

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Excelsior College is a great place for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the small city of Albany, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Excelsior College take out is $10,134.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Excelsior College

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Out of the 1,148 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Northwestern accumulate an average of around $17,905 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Northwestern University Report

#5

Bentley University

Waltham, MA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Bentley University is a great place for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the small city of Waltham, Bentley is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Bentley accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt.

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North Carolina State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list. Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from NC State carry an average student debtload of $26,750.

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#7

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Orange Beach.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Columbia Southern University take out $15,714 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia Southern University

#8

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Brandman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Brandman take out is $21,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Brandman University

#9

National University

La Jolla, CA

With a ranking of #9, National University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Jolla.

Liberal Arts majors at National University take out an average of $19,094 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at National University Report

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, UWM Flexible Option is a public school with a fairly small student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from UWM Flexible Option take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex Report

#11

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

Georgetown University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #11 on the list. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington.

Liberal Arts majors at Georgetown take out an average of $23,250 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Georgetown University

With a ranking of #12, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sheldon.

Liberal Arts majors at Northwest Iowa Community College take out an average of $11,204 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Northwest Iowa Community College

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public school with a very large student population.

Liberal Arts majors at UT Austin take out an average of $21,375 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $377.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

#14

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

Columbia College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Columbia College Missouri take out an average of $23,451 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#15

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, MN

Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts general studies programs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus take out is $13,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

University of Maryland Global Campus landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts general studies programs. UMGC is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi.

On average, liberal arts graduates from UMGC take out $15,681 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Maryland Global Campus

With a ranking of #17, Mountwest Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students. MCTC is a small public school located in the suburb of Huntington.

Liberal Arts majors at MCTC take out an average of $13,329 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Mountwest Community and Technical College Report

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

University of Notre Dame ranked #18 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Notre Dame take out an average of $22,824 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Notre Dame Report

#19

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

With a ranking of #19, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students. Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Johns Hopkins University

With a ranking of #20, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at St Cloud Technical and Community College accumulate an average of around $14,250 in student debt.

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#21

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list. Drexel is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Philadelphia.

Liberal Arts majors at Drexel take out an average of $29,666 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Drexel University

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Mizzou take out $23,750 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $278, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

Northland Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the remote town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community and Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Northland Community and Technical College take out is $13,200.

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#24

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts general studies programs. JCCC is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at JCCC accumulate an average of around $10,000 in student debt.

Read More…

#25

Central Texas College

Killeen, TX

Central Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Central Texas College accumulate an average of around $7,126 in student debt.

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

#27

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN
#31

Duke University

Durham, NC
#32

The King's College

New York, NY
#33

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA
#34

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Wellesley Hills, MA
#35

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN
#36

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA
#37

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL
#38

DePaul University

Chicago, IL
#39

Union College New York

Schenectady, NY
#40

El Centro College

Dallas, TX
#41

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS
#43

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, MN
#46

University of St. Thomas

Houston, TX
#47

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX
#50

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ

Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1148 different United States liberal arts general studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
52 South Texas College McAllen, TX
53 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
54 Vincennes University Vincennes, IN
55 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
56 Champlain College Burlington, VT
57 Austin Community College District Austin, TX
58 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
59 Metropolitan Community College Omaha, NE
60 Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
61 College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID
62 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
63 Dakota College at Bottineau Bottineau, ND
64 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
65 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
66 Texas A & M University - Central Texas Killeen, TX
67 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
68 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC
69 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
70 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
71 Northern Maine Community College Presque Isle, ME
72 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
73 Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, IL
74 Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH
75 Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ
76 Baltimore City Community College Baltimore, MD
77 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
78 Winona State University Winona, MN
79 Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND
80 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
81 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
82 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
83 William Jewell College Liberty, MO
84 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
85 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
86 Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX
87 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA
88 Bellevue College Bellevue, WA
89 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
90 Villanova University Villanova, PA
91 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
92 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY
93 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
94 Troy University Troy, AL
95 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
96 Northern Wyoming Community College District Sheridan, WY
97 Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
98 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
99 Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA
100 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX
101 Lake Superior College Duluth, MN
102 South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC
103 Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MN
104 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD
105 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
106 Charter Oak State College New Britain, CT
107 Belmont University Nashville, TN
108 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
109 Chesapeake College Wye Mills, MD
110 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL
111 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
112 Weber State University Ogden, UT
113 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
114 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
115 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
116 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
117 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
118 Saint Mary’s College of California Moraga, CA
119 Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI
120 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
121 Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL
122 West Liberty University West Liberty, WV
123 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
124 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
125 Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
126 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
127 Simpson College Indianola, IA
128 Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC
129 William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL
130 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
131 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
132 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA
133 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH
134 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
135 Ridgewater College Willmar, MN
136 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
137 Union University Jackson, TN
138 Moberly Area Community College Moberly, MO
139 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
140 Delta College University Center, MI
141 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
142 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
143 Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OK
144 Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZ
145 NHTI-Concord’s Community College Concord, NH
146 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
147 New York University New York, NY
148 Utah Valley University Orem, UT
149 Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO
150 Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VT
151 Midland College Midland, TX
152 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
153 Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH
154 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
155 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
156 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
157 State Fair Community College Sedalia, MO
158 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN
159 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ
160 Iowa State University Ames, IA
161 South Seattle College Seattle, WA
162 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL
163 Ball State University Muncie, IN
164 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
165 Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD
166 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
167 Columbia Basin College Pasco, WA
168 Weatherford College Weatherford, TX
169 Providence College Providence, RI
170 Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT
171 College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MD
172 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools award.

Rank College Location
173 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
174 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
175 Seattle University Seattle, WA
176 Cascadia College Bothell, WA
177 West Valley College Saratoga, CA
178 East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA
179 Joliet Junior College Joliet, IL
180 Baker College Owosso, MI
181 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
182 Alamance Community College Graham, NC
183 Lakeland Community College Kirtland, OH
184 Stark State College North Canton, OH
185 Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY
186 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL
187 Hibbing Community College Hibbing, MN
188 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
189 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
190 Leech Lake Tribal College Cass Lake, MN
191 Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence, SC
192 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
192 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
194 Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FL
195 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
195 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
197 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
198 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
199 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
200 Valencia College Orlando, FL
201 Shorter University Rome, GA
202 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
203 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
204 Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, CA
205 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
206 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
207 Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE
208 Regis University Denver, CO
209 University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
210 Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MN
211 Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI
212 Shoreline Community College Shoreline, WA
213 Washington State University Pullman, WA
214 Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN
215 Whitworth University Spokane, WA
216 Oregon Coast Community College Newport, OR
217 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
218 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Chicago, IL
219 Volunteer State Community College Gallatin, TN
220 Saint Johns River State College Palatka, FL
221 Highline College Des Moines, WA
222 Oakland Community College Bloomfield Hills, MI
223 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
224 University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC
225 Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CA
226 University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PA
227 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
228 Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
229 McHenry County College Crystal Lake, IL

Liberal Arts General Studies by Region

View the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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.

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