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Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia

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2023 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia

32 Colleges
$27,025 Avg Salary
$13,423 Avg Student Debt

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

Out of the majors we analyze each year, liberal arts / sciences and humanities was ranked 4th in Virginia. In fact, 9,302 were awarded in the state in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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.

The Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 32 schools in Virginia to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia

The colleges and universities below are the best for liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors pursuing a .

Top 10 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

#1

Eastern Mennonite University

Harrisonburg, VA

Our analysis found Eastern Mennonite University to be the best school for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students who want to pursue a degree in Virginia. Eastern Mennonite is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Harrisonburg.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Eastern Mennonite take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Mennonite University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Virginia Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia list. Located in the large suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Northern Virginia Community College take out is $11,000.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northern Virginia Community College Report

#3

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bridgewater College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia list. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Bridgewater carry an average student debtload of $24,440.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Bridgewater College

#4

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means James Madison University is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public school with a very large student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at JMU take out an average of $23,243 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.

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

#5

Shenandoah University

Winchester, VA

The excellent programs at Shenandoah University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools in Virginia. Shenandoah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester.

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

#6

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia list. UMW is a small public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Fredericksburg.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at UMW take out an average of $22,552 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $398.

Read More…

#7

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

With a ranking of #7, George Mason University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. GMU is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Fairfax.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at GMU take out is $25,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $376.

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

Tidewater Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Tidewater Community College accumulate an average of around $12,577 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Tidewater Community College Report

#9

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #9 on the list. Mary Baldwin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Staunton.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Mary Baldwin take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#10

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Virginia list. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Germanna Community College take out an average of $9,285 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Germanna Community College Report

Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 18,234
West Virginia 3,558
South Carolina 4,243
Florida 64,444
Arkansas 5,205
Mississippi 5,696
Tennessee 10,186
Louisiana 2,864
Alabama 5,890
Kentucky 6,493
Georgia 7,724

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

Majors Similar to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

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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