2026 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts And General Studies undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2221 schools 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 arm you with the information you need, 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies undergraduate certificate degree schools 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. See the full Northwestern University profile
You'll be in good company at Drexel University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Graduates carry a median of $27,154 in student loans. Get the full Drexel University report
The strong Liberal Arts And General Studies programs at Vincennes University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. Vincennes University posts a six-year graduation rate of 3%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Get the full Vincennes University report
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, College Of Western Idaho landed the #4 spot. Located in Nampa, ID, College Of Western Idaho is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $13,083. See the full College Of Western Idaho profile
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #5 on this year's Liberal Arts And General Studies ranking in the United States. Based in Valley Glen, CA, Los Angeles Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Read the full report on Los Angeles Valley College
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kansas City, MO, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Graduates carry a median of $8,911 in student loans. More on Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
College Of Southern Maryland did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in La Plata, MD, College Of Southern Maryland is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. College Of Southern Maryland Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $9,456 in debt. More on College Of Southern Maryland
Cuesta College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. Get the full Cuesta College report
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Annandale, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Northern Virginia Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $10,875 in debt. More on Northern Virginia Community College
Owens Community College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Owens Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $21,024 in debt. Get the full Owens Community College report
East Los Angeles College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Monterey Park, CA, East Los Angeles College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Graduates carry a median of $6,193 in student loans. Get the full East Los Angeles College report
Utah Valley University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Utah Valley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $15,729. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Ivy Tech Community College placed #13 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Ivy Tech Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $10,026 in debt. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Salt Lake Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $7,313. Get the full Salt Lake Community College report
Los Angeles Harbor College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Wilmington, CA, Los Angeles Harbor College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,568 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. See the full Los Angeles Harbor College profile
Dakota College At Bottineau placed #16 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. More on Dakota College At Bottineau
Los Angeles City College placed #17 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,148 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about Los Angeles City College
Regis University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,140. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $31,773. See the full Regis University profile
Merced College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Merced, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $9,300. Read more about Merced College
Mchenry County College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Crystal Lake, IL, Mchenry County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans. More on Mchenry County College
Chaffey College placed #21 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Chaffey College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Graduates carry a median of $7,252 in student loans. Read the full report on Chaffey College
Santa Ana College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $7,014 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Santa Ana College
Harper College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Palatine, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Harper College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $7,500 in debt. Get the full Harper College report
Germanna Community College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Locust Grove, VA, Germanna Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $8,227. Read more about Germanna Community College
Grayson College placed #25 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Located in Denison, TX, Grayson College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Grayson College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $8,375 in debt. Read the full report on Grayson College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Union University placed #26 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. Union University graduates 66% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Union University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. Read the full report on Union University
College Of Lake County placed #27 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Grayslake, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Get the full College Of Lake County report
Los Angeles Mission College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Sylmar, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Read the full report on Los Angeles Mission College
Black Hawk College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Moline, IL, Black Hawk College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Black Hawk College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $8,250 in debt. More on Black Hawk College
Central Arizona College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Coolidge, AZ, Central Arizona College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. More on Central Arizona College
Elgin Community College placed #31 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in Elgin, IL, Elgin Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. See the full Elgin Community College profile
San Jose City College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. San Jose City College is a public school based in San Jose, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,366, compared with $11,922 for out-of-state students. Read more about San Jose City College
Evergreen Valley College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in San Jose, CA, Evergreen Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,366, while out-of-state students pay about $8,718. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $12,981. Read the full report on Evergreen Valley College
Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a public school based in Bentonville, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $10,876. Get the full Northwest Arkansas Community College report
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in De Queen, AR, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. Get the full Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas report
Yavapai College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Prescott, AZ, Yavapai College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $10,154 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. See the full Yavapai College profile
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #37 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $15,338. Read the full report on Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Delgado Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Orleans, LA, Delgado Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,279. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $24,601. Read the full report on Delgado Community College
Kankakee Community College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kankakee, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Kankakee Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $5,900 in debt. Get the full Kankakee Community College report
Pima Community College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Pima Community College is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Pima Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $9,348. Read the full report on City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. More on City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Orange Coast College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Costa Mesa, CA, Orange Coast College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $6,955. Read more about Orange Coast College
Pulaski Technical College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in North Little Rock, AR. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $16,875. Get the full Pulaski Technical College report
John Tyler Community College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Chester, VA, John Tyler Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. More on John Tyler Community College
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a public school based in Alberta, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $5,500. See the full Southside Virginia Community College profile
Prince Georges Community College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Prince Georges Community College is a public school based in Largo, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Graduates carry a median of $13,499 in student loans. More on Prince Georges Community College
Arizona Western College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Get the full Arizona Western College report
Washtenaw Community College placed #49 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, Washtenaw Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Graduates carry a median of $11,511 in student loans. Read more about Washtenaw Community College
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #50 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Godfrey, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about Lewis And Clark Community College
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 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
The ranking above is published 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).
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