2026 Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 2221 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Sciences Humanities Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is American Public University System, our #1 Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities school in the United States. Based in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $6,195 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on American Public University System
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on this year's Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities ranking in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $11,935. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
A rank of #3 makes Excelsior College one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $10,536. See the full Excelsior College profile
Northwestern University came in at #4 on this year's Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $19,312. More on Northwestern University
The strong Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities programs at Bentley University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,000. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $26,000. Get the full Bentley University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $25,993 in student loans. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Columbia Southern University placed #7 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Located in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $15,923. Get the full Columbia Southern University report
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $22,552 in debt. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
National University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $22,717 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read more about National University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,750. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $10,700. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex profile
Georgetown University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. More on Georgetown University
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school based in Sheldon, IA. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $8,414. Read the full report on Northwest Iowa Community College
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $19,052. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia College Missouri came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Columbia, MO, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Students borrow a median of $23,309 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on Columbia College Missouri
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Coon Rapids, MN, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $12,943. More on Anoka Ramsey Community College
University Of Maryland University College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. This public school is set in Adelphi, MD. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $14,375. Read more about University Of Maryland University College
Mountwest Community And Technical College placed #17 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Huntington, WV, Mountwest Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,938, compared with $12,304 for out-of-state students. Mountwest Community And Technical College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $11,500 in debt. See the full Mountwest Community And Technical College profile
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #18 position. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $18,800 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Johns Hopkins University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $13,426. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. St Cloud Technical And Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $15,111 in debt. Read the full report on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $27,154. More on Drexel University
Northland Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Thief River Falls, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Northland Community And Technical College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $14,875 in debt. More on Northland Community And Technical College
Johnson County Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Johnson County Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $9,700 in debt. Get the full Johnson County Community College report
Central Texas College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Killeen, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Central Texas College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $8,400 in debt. Get the full Central Texas College report
Thomas Edison State College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,838, while out-of-state students pay about $8,856. Graduates carry a median of $17,883 in student loans. Get the full Thomas Edison State College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Century College placed #27 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This public school is set in White Bear Lake, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $14,264. Read more about Century College
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #28 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school based in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $13,250. See the full Rochester Community And Technical College profile
Edison State College placed #29 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Myers, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $8,000. More on Edison State College
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $21,532. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Duke University placed #31 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Duke University Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. Get the full Duke University report
Loyola Marymount University placed #33 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #34 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set in Wellesley Hills, MA, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $8,750. Read more about Massachusetts Bay Community College
Normandale Community College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Normandale Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $12,778 in debt. See the full Normandale Community College profile
Saint Josephs University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $43,575. More on Saint Josephs University
University Of Miami came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $28,590 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Depaul University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depaul University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Depaul University Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $42,350 in debt. Read more about Depaul University
Union College New York came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,039. Union College New York Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Read more about Union College New York
El Centro College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. El Centro College is a public school based in Dallas, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $11,000. Read more about El Centro College
University Of Kansas landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $22,500. More on University Of Kansas
Macomb Community College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $8,250. More on Macomb Community College
North Hennepin Community College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $13,830 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. See the full North Hennepin Community College profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $23,011 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
Collin County Community College District came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in McKinney, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. More on Collin County Community College District
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. See the full University Of St Thomas Texas profile
Wayland Baptist University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Set in Plainview, TX, Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wayland Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 19%. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,258 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. See the full Wayland Baptist University profile
Southern Methodist University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. See the full Southern Methodist University profile
Ashford University placed #49 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,960. Students borrow a median of $31,500 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. More on Ashford University
Rider University did well this year, earning the #50 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lawrenceville, NJ. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,120. Students borrow a median of $22,233 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on Rider University
Western Illinois University came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Set in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Western Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $28,750. Read more about Western Illinois University
South Texas College placed #52 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This public school is set in McAllen, TX. South Texas College graduates 20% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on South Texas College
Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities 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).
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