2026 Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2221 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Sciences Humanities Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than North Carolina State University At Raleigh this year in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $25,993. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
You'll be in good company at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $19,052. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Chesapeake College landed the #4 spot. Based in Wye Mills, MD, Chesapeake College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full Chesapeake College profile
You'll be in good company at Kansas State University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Read more about Kansas State University
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a public school based in Orangeburg, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Graduates carry a median of $19,407 in student loans. Read the full report on Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Dakota College At Bottineau placed #7 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bottineau, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $11,500. More on Dakota College At Bottineau
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Cerritos College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $9,750. Get the full Cerritos College report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Dothan, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Read more about George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #12 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public school based in Oshkosh, WI. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $21,532. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh report
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tanner, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Students borrow a median of $11,236 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Get the full John C Calhoun State Community College report
Southern Union State Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Wadley, AL, Southern Union State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Students borrow a median of $9,860 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Get the full Southern Union State Community College report
Tri County Technical College did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Pendleton, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $8,750. Read the full report on Tri County Technical College
Washington State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $22,881. Read the full report on Washington State University
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #18 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Located in Muscle Shoals, AL, Northwest Shoals Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $10,000. See the full Northwest Shoals Community College profile
Midlands Technical College placed #19 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,550 in student loans. Read more about Midlands Technical College
Lake Region State College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Devils Lake, ND, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $11,697. Read more about Lake Region State College
Vincennes University placed #21 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Get the full Vincennes University report
University Of Nebraska At Kearney did well this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public school based in Kearney, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $20,675. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney report
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $6,625. Read the full report on Central New Mexico Community College
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater report
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. San Bernardino Valley College is a public school based in San Bernardino, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More on San Bernardino Valley College
Waubonsee Community College placed #26 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Sugar Grove, IL, Waubonsee Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Get the full Waubonsee Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Indiana University Southeast came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in New Albany, IN, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Graduates carry a median of $28,948 in student loans. Get the full Indiana University Southeast report
Ridgewater College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $11,389. See the full Ridgewater College profile
Piedmont Technical College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Greenwood, SC, Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Piedmont Technical College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $14,000 in debt. Read the full report on Piedmont Technical College
Johnson County Community College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Johnson County Community College is a public school based in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $9,700. Read more about Johnson County Community College
York Technical College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,090 in student loans. Read more about York Technical College
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $28,371. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
Beaufort County Community College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Washington, NC, Beaufort County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. More on Beaufort County Community College
Golden West College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Huntington Beach, CA, Golden West College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $21,500. See the full Golden West College profile
Normandale Community College placed #35 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $12,778. See the full Normandale Community College profile
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More on Arizona State University
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Graduates carry a median of $10,214 in student loans. Read more about Metropolitan Community College Area
University Of Maine did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $21,166 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Get the full University Of Maine report
Jackson State Community College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Located in Jackson, TN, Jackson State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $5,500. See the full Jackson State Community College profile
West Hills College Lemoore landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lemoore, CA, West Hills College Lemoore is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,384, compared with $10,954 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read more about West Hills College Lemoore
Mesa Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Mesa Community College is a public school based in Mesa, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. See the full Mesa Community College profile
Miracosta College placed #42 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set in Oceanside, CA, Miracosta College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. See the full Miracosta College profile
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Annandale, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Northern Virginia Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $10,875 in debt. See the full Northern Virginia Community College profile
Cleveland State Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Cleveland State Community College is a public school based in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $10,625. Get the full Cleveland State Community College report
Mayville State University placed #45 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Mayville State University is a public school based in Mayville, ND. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Mayville State University Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $27,926 in debt. Read more about Mayville State University
Frederick Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Frederick, MD, Frederick Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Frederick Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $8,935 in debt. See the full Frederick Community College profile
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Rock Springs, WY, Western Wyoming Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,175 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Get the full Western Wyoming Community College report
St Charles Community College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. St Charles Community College is a public school based in Cottleville, MO. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $6,500. Read the full report on St Charles Community College
Dabney S Lancaster Community College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a public school based in Clifton Forge, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Get the full Dabney S Lancaster Community College report
Los Angeles Mission College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Sylmar, CA, Los Angeles Mission College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. See the full Los Angeles Mission College profile
Mt San Jacinto Community College District ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Set in San Jacinto, CA, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Students borrow a median of $6,600 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. See the full Mt San Jacinto Community College District profile
Related Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Schools (All Levels)
- 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. Rankings consider 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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