2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for liberal arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 705 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 71 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $59,139 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northwestern University

3

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 221 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $69,994. Typical student debt for the program is $19,052. More information about a degree in liberal arts from The University Of Texas At Austin

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full liberal arts program report for Stanford University

5

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 35 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Georgetown University earn around $66,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the liberal arts program at Georgetown University

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #7 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stony Brook University awarded about 51 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $74,387 early in their careers. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Stony Brook University

8

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University placed #8 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 10 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $52,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Get the full liberal arts details for Loyola Marymount University

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 liberal arts degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $35,056 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the liberal arts program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

10

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #10 for liberal arts this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Wake Forest University awarded about 11 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Wake Forest University

11

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University earned the #11 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 134 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $49,408. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full liberal arts details for James Madison University

12

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Georgia

13

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego came in at #13 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of San Diego

14

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #14 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 101 liberal arts degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $41,398 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for George Mason University

15

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Florida earn around $58,388 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Florida

16

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $57,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. See the full liberal arts program report for Southern Methodist University

17

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $52,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Seattle Pacific University

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 265 liberal arts degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from San Diego State University earn around $23,190 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,496 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for San Diego State University

19

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #19 among the best liberal arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $37,709 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

20

New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 691 liberal arts degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from New York University earn around $39,652 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for New York University

21

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #21 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Sonoma State University awarded about 102 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $39,758 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Sonoma State University

22

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #22 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 65 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Rowan University earn around $43,486 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Rowan University

23

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #23 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 154 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $24,706 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,535. See the full liberal arts program report for California State University Fullerton

24

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton earned the #24 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 25 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $51,766 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Suny At Binghamton

25

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 200 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $40,791 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,269. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Iowa