2026 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts And General Studies graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2221 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $19,312. Get the full Northwestern University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #2 on this year's Liberal Arts And General Studies ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $25,993 in student loans. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Miami came in at #3 on this year's Liberal Arts And General Studies ranking in the United States. Based in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. University Of Miami Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $28,590 in debt. More on University Of Miami
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #4 spot. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
A rank of #5 makes Southern Methodist University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
University Of Iowa placed #6 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $25,269. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $28,467. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Kansas placed #8 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Regis University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Read more about Regis University
University Of Connecticut did well this year, earning the #10 position. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about University Of Connecticut
Texas Tech University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,713 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about Texas Tech University
St Johns College Maryland came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Annapolis, MD, St Johns College Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,684. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $27,000. See the full St Johns College Maryland profile
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $25,898 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Indiana University Southeast came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in New Albany, IN, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. Indiana University Southeast posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Indiana University Southeast Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $28,948 in debt. See the full Indiana University Southeast profile
University Of Denver came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about University Of Denver
University Of Memphis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $38,972 in student loans. More on University Of Memphis
Portland State University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Get the full Portland State University report
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school based in Carson, CA. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,453 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on California State University Dominguez Hills
California State University Los Angeles landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. California State University Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Graduates carry a median of $15,171 in student loans. Read more about California State University Los Angeles
California State University Northridge ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Read more about California State University Northridge
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Read the full report on Concordia University Saint Paul
Dordt College
Dordt College placed #22 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Dordt College
Felician College
Felician College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Felician College
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Herzing University Tampa landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Herzing University Tampa report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Jacksonville College Main Campus did well this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Jacksonville College Main Campus
Mayland Community College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Read more about Mayland Community College
Ramapo College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Ramapo College Of New Jersey report
Washington County Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Read the full report on Washington County Community College
Howard University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Read more about Howard University
Laney College
Laney College placed #31 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Laney College
Metropolitan State University placed #32 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Metropolitan State University
Roger Williams University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Read the full report on Roger Williams University
Spalding University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Spalding University report
Troy University
Troy University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. See the full Troy University profile
Cameron University placed #36 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. More on Cameron University
Campbellsville University placed #37 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Campbellsville University report
Clark State Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. More on Clark State Community College
Community Christian College did well this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Community Christian College profile
Great Falls College Montana State University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Great Falls College Montana State University
Lamar Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Get the full Lamar Community College report
Seattle Community College North Campus did well this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Seattle Community College North Campus report
Trine University
Trine University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. See the full Trine University profile
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #44 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. See the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus profile
Westminster College Utah ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. See the full Westminster College Utah profile
Barry University
Barry University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Barry University report
Catholic University Of America did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Catholic University Of America
Christian Brothers University did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on Christian Brothers University
Claflin University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Read more about Claflin University
College Of Alameda placed #50 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on College Of Alameda
Related Liberal Arts And General Studies Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.