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2023 Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools

552 Colleges
$28,337 Avg Salary
$17,430 Avg Student Debt

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 Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 552 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular online programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges.

#1

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

Our 2023 rankings named Lone Star College System the most popular online school in the United States for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. North Harris Montgomery is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of The Woodlands.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at North Harris Montgomery take out an average of $10,313 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lone Star College System Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Utah Valley University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the small city of Orem, UVU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from UVU take out $17,058 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Utah Valley University Report

#3

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Monica College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the small city of Santa Monica, SMC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Santa Monica College Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hillsborough Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the large city of Tampa, HCC is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at HCC take out is $11,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $114.

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Collin County Community College District is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students pursuing an online degree. Collin County Community College District is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of McKinney.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Collin County Community College District accumulate an average of around $10,000 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Collin County Community College District Report

#6

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

With a ranking of #6, St Petersburg College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. SPC is a very large public school located in the large city of Clearwater.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from SPC carry an average student debtload of $13,270.

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

University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public school with a very large student population.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Maryland Global Campus

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. MCC is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MCC take out $8,792 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City

Southern New Hampshire University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at SNHU take out is $23,425.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southern New Hampshire University

Cuyahoga Community College District 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. Located in the large city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Cuyahoga Community College District accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cuyahoga Community College District Report

With a ranking of #11, Seminole State College of Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Seminole State is a large public school located in the city of Sanford.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Seminole State accumulate an average of around $10,250 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Seminole State College of Florida

#12

Excelsior College

Albany, NY

Excelsior College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools 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.

Read More…

Florida SouthWestern State College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the large suburb of Fort Myers, FSW is a public school with a large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from FSW take out $8,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#14

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL

With a ranking of #14, Indian River State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Indian River State College take out $7,250 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Indian River State College

Eastern Florida State 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 large suburb of Cocoa, EFSC is a public college with a large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from EFSC take out $9,577 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Florida State College

American Public University System came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools ranking. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit college 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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at American Public University System

#17

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Daytona State College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Daytona State College carry an average student debtload of $9,379.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Daytona State College Report

Wake Technical Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Raleigh.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of around $11,000 in student debt.

Read More…

Brigham Young University - Idaho came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools ranking. BYU - I is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Rexburg.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at BYU - I take out is $9,111.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Brigham Young University - Idaho Report

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Northern Virginia Community College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Annandale.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of around $11,000 in student debt.

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

Tri-County Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Pendleton, TCTC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at TCTC take out an average of $10,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Tri-County Technical College Report

#22

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. RHCCD is a large public school located in the large suburb of Whittier.

Read More…

Weber State University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools list. Located in the small city of Ogden, WSU is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at WSU take out is $17,867.

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

#24

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

South Texas College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from South Texas College carry an average student debtload of $5,500.

Read More…

#25

Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Polk State is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Winter Haven.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Polk State take out is $8,750.

Read More…

#27

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA
#28

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS
#29

Lane Community College

Eugene, OR
#30

Central Texas College

Killeen, TX
#30

Pasco-Hernando State College

New Port Richey, FL
#34

Hinds Community College

Raymond, MS
#42

Yavapai College

Prescott, AZ
#44

Merced College

Merced, CA
#48

Columbia College

Columbia, MO
#50

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, CA

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 552 different United States liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA
52 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
53 Southern Union State Community College Wadley, AL
54 Grayson College Denison, TX
55 North Central Texas College Gainesville, TX
56 Normandale Community College Bloomington, MN
57 Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
58 Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OK
59 Eastern Gateway Community College Steubenville, OH
60 Tyler Junior College Tyler, TX
61 Germanna Community College Locust Grove, VA
62 Dixie State University Saint George, UT
63 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ
64 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA
65 Moberly Area Community College Moberly, MO
66 Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN
67 Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FL
68 Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA
69 Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD
70 San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CA
71 Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ
72 Heartland Community College Normal, IL
73 University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR
74 Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MO
75 John Tyler Community College Chester, VA
76 Pearl River Community College Poplarville, MS
77 Bronx Community College Bronx, NY
78 Arkansas State University - Beebe Beebe, AR
79 Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH
80 Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA
81 Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ
82 Black Hawk College Moline, IL

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Online Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools award.

Rank College Location
83 College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MD
84 Cleveland State Community College Cleveland, TN
85 Navarro College Corsicana, TX
86 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL
87 Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, VA
88 Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown, VA
89 Lakeland Community College Kirtland, OH
90 Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA
91 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY
92 Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC
92 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL
94 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
95 State Fair Community College Sedalia, MO
96 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
97 Clackamas Community College Oregon City, OR
98 New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM
99 Delta College University Center, MI
100 Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ
101 Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KY
102 Northeast Mississippi Community College Booneville, MS
102 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
104 St Clair County Community College Port Huron, MI
105 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
106 Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GA
107 Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KS
108 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
109 Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL
110 Harford Community College Bel Air, MD

View the Most Popular Online 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.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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