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2023 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools

1,148 Colleges
$28,337 Avg Salary
$17,430 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School for You

With 556,813 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the #3 most popular major in the United States.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 1,148 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the United States

Check out the liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Schools in Liberal Arts & Humanities

Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best school in the United States for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $5,688 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at American Public University System Report

Out of the 1,148 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MIT take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $663, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

Excelsior College

Albany, NY

Out of the 1,148 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Excelsior College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Albany.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Excelsior College carry an average student debtload of $10,134.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Excelsior College Report

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Evanston.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Northwestern carry an average student debtload of $17,905.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northwestern University

#5

Bentley University

Waltham, MA

Out of the 1,148 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Bentley University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Bentley is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Bentley carry an average student debtload of $26,000.

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North Carolina State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools ranking. NC State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Raleigh.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at NC State take out an average of $26,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#7

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the fringe town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Columbia Southern University accumulate an average of around $15,714 in student debt.

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#8

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Brandman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #8 on the list. Brandman is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Irvine.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Brandman carry an average student debtload of $21,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Brandman University

#9

National University

La Jolla, CA

With a ranking of #9, National University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the large city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at National University accumulate an average of around $19,094 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at National University

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #10 on the list. UWM Flexible Option is a fairly small public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at UWM Flexible Option take out is $11,000.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex Report

#11

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

With a ranking of #11, Georgetown University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Georgetown take out $23,250 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Georgetown University Report

Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the rural area of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Northwest Iowa Community College take out an average of $11,204 in student loans while working on their egree.

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The University of Texas at Austin landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at UT Austin accumulate an average of around $21,375 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $377.

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#14

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

Columbia College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Columbia College Missouri is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of around $23,451 in student debt.

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#15

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, MN

Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus take out is $13,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from UMGC carry an average student debtload of $15,681.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Maryland Global Campus Report

With a ranking of #17, Mountwest Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the suburb of Huntington, MCTC is a public college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at MCTC accumulate an average of around $13,329 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Mountwest Community and Technical College

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

University of Notre Dame landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Notre Dame take out $22,824 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Notre Dame

#19

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

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St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school located in the city of Saint Cloud.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from St Cloud Technical and Community College take out $14,250 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at St Cloud Technical and Community College Report

#21

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Drexel carry an average student debtload of $29,666.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Drexel University

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #22 on the list. Mizzou is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Columbia.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Mizzou accumulate an average of around $23,750 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $278.

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Northland Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #23 on the list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in the remote town of Thief River Falls.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Northland Community and Technical College take out an average of $13,200 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northland Community and Technical College

#24

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from JCCC carry an average student debtload of $10,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Johnson County Community College

#25

Central Texas College

Killeen, TX

Central Texas College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Central Texas College is a medium-sized public school located in the midsize suburb of Killeen.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Central Texas College take out $7,126 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools

#27

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN
#31

Duke University

Durham, NC
#32

The King's College

New York, NY
#33

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA
#34

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Wellesley Hills, MA
#35

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN
#36

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA
#37

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL
#38

DePaul University

Chicago, IL
#39

Union College New York

Schenectady, NY
#40

El Centro College

Dallas, TX
#41

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS
#43

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, MN
#46

University of St. Thomas

Houston, TX
#47

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX
#50

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1148 different United States liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
52 South Texas College McAllen, TX
53 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
54 Vincennes University Vincennes, IN
55 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
56 Champlain College Burlington, VT
57 Austin Community College District Austin, TX
58 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
59 Metropolitan Community College Omaha, NE
60 Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
61 College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID
62 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
63 Dakota College at Bottineau Bottineau, ND
64 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
65 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
66 Texas A & M University - Central Texas Killeen, TX
67 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
68 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC
69 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
70 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
71 Northern Maine Community College Presque Isle, ME
72 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
73 Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, IL
74 Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH
75 Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ
76 Baltimore City Community College Baltimore, MD
77 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
78 Winona State University Winona, MN
79 Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND
80 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
81 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
82 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
83 William Jewell College Liberty, MO
84 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
85 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
86 Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX
87 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA
88 Bellevue College Bellevue, WA
89 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
90 Villanova University Villanova, PA
91 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
92 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY
93 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
94 Troy University Troy, AL
95 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
96 Northern Wyoming Community College District Sheridan, WY
97 Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
98 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
99 Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA
100 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX
101 Lake Superior College Duluth, MN
102 South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC
103 Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MN
104 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD
105 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
106 Charter Oak State College New Britain, CT
107 Belmont University Nashville, TN
108 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
109 Chesapeake College Wye Mills, MD
110 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL
111 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
112 Weber State University Ogden, UT
113 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
114 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
115 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
116 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
117 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
118 Saint Mary’s College of California Moraga, CA
119 Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI
120 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
121 Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL
122 West Liberty University West Liberty, WV
123 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
124 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
125 Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
126 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
127 Simpson College Indianola, IA
128 Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC
129 William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL
130 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
131 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
132 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA
133 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH
134 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
135 Ridgewater College Willmar, MN
136 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
137 Union University Jackson, TN
138 Moberly Area Community College Moberly, MO
139 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
140 Delta College University Center, MI
141 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
142 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
143 Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OK
144 Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZ
145 NHTI-Concord’s Community College Concord, NH
146 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
147 New York University New York, NY
148 Utah Valley University Orem, UT
149 Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO
150 Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VT
151 Midland College Midland, TX
152 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
153 Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH
154 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
155 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
156 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
157 State Fair Community College Sedalia, MO
158 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN
159 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ
160 Iowa State University Ames, IA
161 South Seattle College Seattle, WA
162 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL
163 Ball State University Muncie, IN
164 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
165 Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD
166 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
167 Columbia Basin College Pasco, WA
168 Weatherford College Weatherford, TX
169 Providence College Providence, RI
170 Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT
171 College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MD
172 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts & Humanities students that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools award.

Rank College Location
173 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
174 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
175 Seattle University Seattle, WA
176 Cascadia College Bothell, WA
177 West Valley College Saratoga, CA
178 East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA
179 Joliet Junior College Joliet, IL
180 Baker College Owosso, MI
181 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
182 Alamance Community College Graham, NC
183 Lakeland Community College Kirtland, OH
184 Stark State College North Canton, OH
185 Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY
186 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL
187 Hibbing Community College Hibbing, MN
188 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
189 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
190 Leech Lake Tribal College Cass Lake, MN
191 Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence, SC
192 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
192 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
194 Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FL
195 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
195 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
197 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
198 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
199 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
200 Valencia College Orlando, FL
201 Shorter University Rome, GA
202 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
203 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
204 Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, CA
205 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
206 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
207 Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE
208 Regis University Denver, CO
209 University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
210 Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MN
211 Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI
212 Shoreline Community College Shoreline, WA
213 Washington State University Pullman, WA
214 Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN
215 Whitworth University Spokane, WA
216 Oregon Coast Community College Newport, OR
217 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
218 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Chicago, IL
219 Volunteer State Community College Gallatin, TN
220 Saint Johns River State College Palatka, FL
221 Highline College Des Moines, WA
222 Oakland Community College Bloomfield Hills, MI
223 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
224 University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC
225 Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CA
226 University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PA
227 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
228 Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
229 McHenry County College Crystal Lake, IL

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities by Region

View the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

Related Major Annual Graduates
Visual & Performing Arts 149,215
English Language & Literature 54,635
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Theology & Religious Vocations 27,459
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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