2026 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts And General Studies certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2221 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on this year's Liberal Arts And General Studies ranking in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $19,052. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on this year's Liberal Arts And General Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $16,155. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
The strong Liberal Arts And General Studies programs at Chesapeake College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Wye Mills, MD, Chesapeake College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $5,500. Get the full Chesapeake College report
The strong Liberal Arts And General Studies programs at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. See the full Kansas State University profile
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Orangeburg, SC, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $19,407. Read the full report on Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Dakota College At Bottineau ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Dakota College At Bottineau Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $11,500 in debt. Read the full report on Dakota College At Bottineau
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #8 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Green Bay, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Cerritos College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $9,750. More on Cerritos College
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $23,011 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Dothan, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $9,942. More on George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Graduates carry a median of $21,532 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tanner, AL. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,236 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. See the full John C Calhoun State Community College profile
Southern Union State Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Wadley, AL, Southern Union State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,860 in student loans. More on Southern Union State Community College
Tri County Technical College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Pendleton, SC, Tri County Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Read more about Tri County Technical College
Washington State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $22,881. Read more about Washington State University
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Muscle Shoals, AL, Northwest Shoals Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Northwest Shoals Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $10,000 in debt. More on Northwest Shoals Community College
Midlands Technical College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $14,550. Read more about Midlands Technical College
Lake Region State College placed #20 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Located in Devils Lake, ND, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Graduates carry a median of $11,697 in student loans. More on Lake Region State College
Vincennes University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. Vincennes University graduates 3% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about Vincennes University
University Of Nebraska At Kearney did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Kearney, NE. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $20,675. See the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney profile
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $6,625. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,251 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in San Bernardino, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $19,500. Read more about San Bernardino Valley College
Waubonsee Community College placed #26 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Based in Sugar Grove, IL, Waubonsee Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $7,250. Get the full Waubonsee Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Indiana University Southeast placed #27 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in New Albany, IN, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $28,948. See the full Indiana University Southeast profile
Ridgewater College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Willmar, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $11,389. Get the full Ridgewater College report
Piedmont Technical College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Piedmont Technical College is a public school based in Greenwood, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. See the full Piedmont Technical College profile
Johnson County Community College placed #30 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Johnson County Community College is a public school based in Overland Park, KS. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $9,700. Read more about Johnson County Community College
York Technical College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $8,090. Get the full York Technical College report
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
Beaufort County Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Washington, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Beaufort County Community College
Golden West College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Huntington Beach, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Golden West College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. More on Golden West College
Normandale Community College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Normandale Community College is a public school based 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. Read the full report on Normandale Community College
Arizona State University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $31,000. Read more about Arizona State University
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $10,214. More on Metropolitan Community College Area
University Of Maine landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. University Of Maine is a public school based in Orono, ME. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,166 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maine
Jackson State Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Jackson, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $5,500. Read more about Jackson State Community College
West Hills College Lemoore did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in Lemoore, CA, West Hills College Lemoore is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Get the full West Hills College Lemoore report
Mesa Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Mesa Community College is a public school based in Mesa, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Read more about Mesa Community College
Miracosta College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Oceanside, CA, Miracosta College is a public institution. Miracosta College graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Read more about Miracosta College
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $10,875. Get the full Northern Virginia Community College report
Cleveland State Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Cleveland, TN, Cleveland State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Cleveland State Community College
Mayville State University placed #45 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Located in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. Mayville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Mayville State University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $27,926 in debt. More on Mayville State University
Frederick Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Frederick, MD, Frederick Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,935 in student loans. More on Frederick Community College
Western Wyoming Community College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Western Wyoming Community College is a public school based in Rock Springs, WY. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Graduates carry a median of $16,175 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Wyoming Community College
St Charles Community College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Cottleville, MO, St Charles Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $6,500. Read the full report on St Charles Community College
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Clifton Forge, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on Dabney S Lancaster Community College
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Sylmar, CA, Los Angeles Mission College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. See the full Los Angeles Mission College profile
Mt San Jacinto Community College District did well this year, earning the #51 position. Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a public school based in San Jacinto, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,600 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Related Liberal Arts And General Studies Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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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