2026 Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2221 colleges 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 analyzed 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities school in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. More on Northwestern University
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Drexel University landed the #2 spot. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,154 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on Drexel University
Vincennes University came in at #3 on this year's Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities ranking in the United States. Located in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. Vincennes University posts a six-year graduation rate of 3%. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $12,079. See the full Vincennes University profile
The strong Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities programs at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #4 place in the United States. This public school is set in Nampa, ID. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $13,083 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on College Of Western Idaho
The strong Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities programs at Los Angeles Valley College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Valley Glen, CA, Los Angeles Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Los Angeles Valley College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $9,125 in debt. Read the full report on Los Angeles Valley College
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public school based in Kansas City, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,911 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
College Of Southern Maryland came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in La Plata, MD, College Of Southern Maryland is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $9,456. More on College Of Southern Maryland
Cuesta College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $18,958. Read the full report on Cuesta College
Northern Virginia Community College placed #9 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Located in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Get the full Northern Virginia Community College report
Owens Community College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Owens Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $21,024 in debt. See the full Owens Community College profile
East Los Angeles College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. East Los Angeles College is a public school based in Monterey Park, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $6,193. Get the full East Los Angeles College report
Utah Valley University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Utah Valley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $15,729. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $10,026. Get the full Ivy Tech Community College report
Salt Lake Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $7,313. Read the full report on Salt Lake Community College
Los Angeles Harbor College landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Wilmington, CA, Los Angeles Harbor College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,568. Los Angeles Harbor College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $6,625 in debt. Read the full report on Los Angeles Harbor College
Dakota College At Bottineau ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Dakota College At Bottineau
Los Angeles City College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Los Angeles City College is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Los Angeles City College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $9,148 in debt. Read more about Los Angeles City College
Regis University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,140. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $31,773. See the full Regis University profile
Merced College landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $9,300. Get the full Merced College report
Mchenry County College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Mchenry County College is a public school based in Crystal Lake, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans. Read the full report on Mchenry County College
Chaffey College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Chaffey College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Graduates carry a median of $7,252 in student loans. Read more about Chaffey College
Santa Ana College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $7,014. More on Santa Ana College
Harper College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Palatine, IL, Harper College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $7,500. Read the full report on Harper College
Germanna Community College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Locust Grove, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $8,227. Read the full report on Germanna Community College
Grayson College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Grayson College is a public school based in Denison, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on Grayson College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Union University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Union University Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. More on Union University
College Of Lake County placed #27 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This public school is set in Grayslake, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $6,687. Read more about College Of Lake County
Los Angeles Mission College did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Sylmar, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Read more about Los Angeles Mission College
Black Hawk College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Black Hawk College is a public school based in Moline, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $8,250. Get the full Black Hawk College report
Central Arizona College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Central Arizona College is a public school based in Coolidge, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,680 in student loans. Get the full Central Arizona College report
Elgin Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in Elgin, IL, Elgin Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $8,380. Get the full Elgin Community College report
San Jose City College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,366, with out-of-state students paying around $11,922. Get the full San Jose City College report
Evergreen Valley College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in San Jose, CA, Evergreen Valley College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,366, with out-of-state students paying around $8,718. Evergreen Valley College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $12,981 in debt. More on Evergreen Valley College
Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a public school based in Bentonville, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $10,876. Read the full report on Northwest Arkansas Community College
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #35 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in De Queen, AR, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. Read the full report on Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Yavapai College did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in Prescott, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $10,154 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on Yavapai College
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #37 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $15,338. Read the full report on Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Delgado Community College placed #38 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set in New Orleans, LA, Delgado Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. Delgado Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $24,601 in debt. Get the full Delgado Community College report
Kankakee Community College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Kankakee, IL, Kankakee Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans. Get the full Kankakee Community College report
Pima Community College did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. See the full Pima Community College profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $9,348. See the full City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $12,925. Read more about City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Orange Coast College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Costa Mesa, CA, Orange Coast College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Graduates carry a median of $6,955 in student loans. Get the full Orange Coast College report
Pulaski Technical College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Pulaski Technical College is a public school based in North Little Rock, AR. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Pulaski Technical College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $16,875 in debt. Read the full report on Pulaski Technical College
John Tyler Community College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. John Tyler Community College is a public school based in Chester, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read the full report on John Tyler Community College
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Alberta, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. More on Southside Virginia Community College
Prince Georges Community College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Largo, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Students borrow a median of $13,499 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Read more about Prince Georges Community College
Arizona Western College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. See the full Arizona Western College profile
Washtenaw Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, Washtenaw Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Washtenaw Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $11,511 in debt. Get the full Washtenaw Community College report
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #50 among Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. This public school is set in Godfrey, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Lewis And Clark Community College Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $9,750 in debt. Read the full report on Lewis And Clark Community College
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 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
The ranking above is published 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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