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Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools

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2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools

184 Colleges
$23,818 Avg Salary
$11,499 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 184 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the United States

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

Top 25 Top Schools for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Liberal Arts General Studies

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best school for liberal arts general studies students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the United States. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

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#2

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Drexel University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Drexel is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Philadelphia.

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#3

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Vincennes University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Vincennes University is a fairly large public school located in the town of Vincennes.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, liberal arts majors at Vincennes University accumulate an average of around $17,426 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $105.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Vincennes University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend College of Western Idaho. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the rural area of Nampa, CWI is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at CWI take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $13,002.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at College of Western Idaho Report

#5

Los Angeles Valley College

Valley Glen, CA

Out of the 184 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Los Angeles Valley College landed the # 5 spot on the list. LAVC is a large public school located in the city of Valley Glen.

On average, liberal arts graduates from LAVC take out $11,749 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Valley College Report

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #6 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the city of Kansas City, MCC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from MCC take out $12,382 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City

College of Southern Maryland landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate liberal arts general studies programs. CSM is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at CSM take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $13,797.

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#8

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Cuesta College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cuesta College

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Northern Virginia Community College take out $11,909 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#10

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Owens State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Perrysburg.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Owens Community College Report

#11

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park.

Liberal Arts majors at East Los Angeles College take out an average of $8,840 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at East Los Angeles College Report

With a ranking of #12, Utah Valley University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their undergraduate certificate. UVU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Orem.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Utah Valley University

#13

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, liberal arts majors at Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of around $13,100 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Ivy Tech Community College Report

#14

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, UT

With a ranking of #14, Salt Lake Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their undergraduate certificate. Salt Lake Community College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City.

Liberal Arts majors at Salt Lake Community College take out an average of $10,599 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#15

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, CA

Los Angeles Harbor College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. LAHC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wilmington.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, liberal arts majors at LAHC accumulate an average of around $11,310 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Harbor College Report

#16

Dakota College at Bottineau

Bottineau, ND

With a ranking of #16, Dakota College at Bottineau did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the remote area of Bottineau, MSU-Bottineau is a public college with a small student population.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Dakota College at Bottineau Report

#17

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles City College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Los Angeles City College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,202.

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#18

Regis University

Denver, CO

Regis University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Regis U is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver.

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#19

Merced College

Merced, CA

Merced College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Merced Community College District is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Merced.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, liberal arts majors at Merced Community College District accumulate an average of around $10,074 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Merced College Report

#20

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL

With a ranking of #20, McHenry County College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their undergraduate certificate. MCC is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake.

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#21

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Chaffey College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Rancho Cucamonga.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, liberal arts majors at Chaffey College accumulate an average of around $9,073 in student debt.

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#22

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the large city of Santa Ana, SAC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at SAC take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $10,545.

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With a ranking of #23, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a large student population.

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#24

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, liberal arts majors at Germanna Community College accumulate an average of around $11,912 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Germanna Community College Report

#25

Grayson College

Denison, TX

Grayson College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate liberal arts general studies programs. Grayson College is a small public school located in the rural area of Denison.

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Rest of the Top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Schools

#26

Union University

Jackson, TN
#27

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL

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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools award.

Rank College Location
28 Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CA
29 Black Hawk College Moline, IL
30 Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZ
31 Elgin Community College Elgin, IL
32 San Jose City College San Jose, CA
33 Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CA
34 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR
35 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen, AR
36 Yavapai College Prescott, AZ

Liberal Arts General Studies by Region

View the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Undergraduate Certificate 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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