2026 Best Liberal Arts Associate’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

No school ranked higher than University Of Florida this year for liberal arts. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 106 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $58,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Florida

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for liberal arts. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 33 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Typical student debt for the program is $7,761. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Loyola University Chicago

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 405 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $48,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,135 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Central Florida

4

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. About 1,108 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Irvine Valley College in the most recent year. Irvine Valley College graduates carry a median of $5,754 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Irvine Valley College

5

Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Highline Community College, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Des Moines. There were roughly 393 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,291 in their early career. Highline Community College graduates carry a median of $6,678 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Highline Community College

6

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 791 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Harper College earn around $27,619 in the first couple years of their career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Harper College

7

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #7 for liberal arts this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. About 16 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $13,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Delaware

8

Seattle Community College South Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College South Campus earned the #8 position for liberal arts this year. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. About 202 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the liberal arts program at Seattle Community College South Campus

9

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. There were roughly 219 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $37,149 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the liberal arts program at Santiago Canyon College

10

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #10 spot for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 154 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $35,361 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,349 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Florida State University

11

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County came in at #11 for liberal arts this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 757 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $33,413. Typical student debt for the program is $6,687. Get the full liberal arts details for College Of Lake County

12

New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,787. More information about a degree in liberal arts from New York University

13

Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #13 spot for liberal arts this year. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Yeshiva University awarded about 10 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Yeshiva University earn around $52,838 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Yeshiva University

14

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #14 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 626 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at College Of Dupage

15

Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA

Columbia Basin College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. Columbia Basin College awarded about 781 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Columbia Basin College earn around $63,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Columbia Basin College

16

Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bellevue. About 982 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Bellevue College earn around $29,666 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,598. Read more about the liberal arts program at Bellevue College

17

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. About 574 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Elgin Community College earn around $25,377 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,380. Get the full liberal arts details for Elgin Community College

18

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 26 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Adelphi University

19

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. About 348 liberal arts degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from City College Of San Francisco earn around $100,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for City College Of San Francisco

20

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College placed #20 among the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. There were roughly 1,116 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $35,804. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. See the full liberal arts program report for Salt Lake Community College

21

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #21 for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. About 392 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. Get the full liberal arts details for Oxnard College

22

Everett Community College
Everett, WA

Everett Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Everett Community College awarded about 677 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $30,993 early in their careers. Everett Community College graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Everett Community College

23

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 333 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Florida Gulf Coast University

24

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 509 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Joliet Junior College

25

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #25 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of North Florida awarded about 173 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of North Florida