2026 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts And General Studies programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 2221 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is American Public University System, our #1 Liberal Arts And General Studies school in the United States. Located in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $6,195 in student loans. Get the full American Public University System report
A rank of #2 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $11,935 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
You'll be in good company at Excelsior College, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $10,536. More on Excelsior College
A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Read the full report on Northwestern University
You'll be in good company at Bentley University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waltham, MA. Bentley University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,000. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full Bentley University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #6 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $25,993. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Columbia Southern University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school based in Orange Beach, AL. Columbia Southern University graduates 26% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,224. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $15,923. Read the full report on Columbia Southern University
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,552 in student loans. See the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System profile
National University placed #9 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Based in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $22,717 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Get the full National University report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex
Georgetown University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $25,000. See the full Georgetown University profile
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #12 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Located in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Graduates carry a median of $8,414 in student loans. Read more about Northwest Iowa Community College
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #13 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia College Missouri placed #14 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, MO. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,276. Columbia College Missouri Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $23,309 in debt. See the full Columbia College Missouri profile
Anoka Ramsey Community College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Coon Rapids, MN, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $12,943 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Anoka Ramsey Community College
University Of Maryland University College placed #16 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. University Of Maryland University College is a public school based in Adelphi, MD. University Of Maryland University College posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $14,375. Read the full report on University Of Maryland University College
Mountwest Community And Technical College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Mountwest Community And Technical College is a public school based in Huntington, WV. In-state tuition and fees average $4,938, while out-of-state students pay about $12,304. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $11,500. Read the full report on Mountwest Community And Technical College
University Of Notre Dame placed #18 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Johns Hopkins University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $15,111 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Get the full St Cloud Technical And Community College report
Drexel University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Drexel University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $27,154 in debt. Read more about Drexel University
Northland Community And Technical College placed #23 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,289. Students borrow a median of $14,875 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Northland Community And Technical College
Johnson County Community College placed #24 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $9,700 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Johnson County Community College
Central Texas College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Killeen, TX, Central Texas College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about Central Texas College
Thomas Edison State College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Thomas Edison State College is a public school based in Trenton, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,838, with out-of-state students paying around $8,856. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $17,883. Read more about Thomas Edison State College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Century College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Century College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $14,264 in debt. Read the full report on Century College
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #28 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Rochester, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $13,250. Read the full report on Rochester Community And Technical College
Edison State College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fort Myers, FL. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Edison State College
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $21,532. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
Duke University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about Duke University
Loyola Marymount University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #34 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a public school based in Wellesley Hills, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $8,750. Get the full Massachusetts Bay Community College report
Normandale Community College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bloomington, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Graduates carry a median of $12,778 in student loans. Get the full Normandale Community College report
Saint Josephs University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. About 79% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Saint Josephs University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $43,575 in debt. Read more about Saint Josephs University
University Of Miami came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,616. University Of Miami Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $28,590 in debt. See the full University Of Miami profile
Depaul University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $42,350. Get the full Depaul University report
Union College New York came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,039. Union College New York Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Read more about Union College New York
El Centro College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. El Centro College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. Read more about El Centro College
University Of Kansas placed #41 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Kansas
Macomb Community College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $8,250. See the full Macomb Community College profile
North Hennepin Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. North Hennepin Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $13,830 in debt. See the full North Hennepin Community College profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,011 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Collin County Community College District came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in McKinney, TX, Collin County Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Get the full Collin County Community College District report
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. University Of St Thomas Texas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,634. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. More on University Of St Thomas Texas
Wayland Baptist University placed #47 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Plainview, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 19%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,782. Wayland Baptist University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $24,258 in debt. More on Wayland Baptist University
Southern Methodist University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Southern Methodist University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $20,712 in debt. Read more about Southern Methodist University
Ashford University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Ashford University graduates 10% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,960. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $31,500. See the full Ashford University profile
Rider University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Rider University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $22,233 in debt. Get the full Rider University report
Western Illinois University landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Based in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $28,750. More on Western Illinois University
South Texas College did well this year, earning the #52 position. Located in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. South Texas College graduates 20% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $7,500. More on South Texas College
Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 2221 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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