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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Washington

28 Colleges in the United States
13,156 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,508 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Washington.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1

Seattle Pacific University tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 34 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $52,713 early in their careers. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Seattle Pacific University

2

Highline Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 393 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Highline Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $31,291. Students borrow a median of $6,678 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Highline Community College

3

Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 202 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent year. See the full liberal arts program report for Seattle Community College South Campus

4

Columbia Basin College came in at #4 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. There were roughly 781 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $63,976 in their early career. Columbia Basin College graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Columbia Basin College

5
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

A rank of #5 makes Bellevue College one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. There were roughly 982 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Bellevue College earn around $29,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,598 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Bellevue College

6

Everett Community College earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Everett. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Everett Community College

7
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #7 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 11 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $35,398 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the liberal arts program at Seattle University

8

Seattle Community College North Campus landed the #8 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Seattle Community College North Campus awarded about 226 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Seattle Community College North Campus

9

Yakima Valley Community College came in at #9 for liberal arts this year. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. There were roughly 408 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Yakima Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,743 in their early career. Yakima Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $8,367 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Yakima Valley Community College

10

Wenatchee Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public institution. About 363 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Wenatchee Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,203 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,936. Read more about the liberal arts program at Wenatchee Valley College

11

Shoreline Community College came in at #11 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Shoreline. There were roughly 349 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Shoreline Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $28,804 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,895 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Shoreline Community College

12

Cascadia Community College earned the #12 position for liberal arts this year. Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Cascadia Community College awarded about 257 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,352 in their early career. Cascadia Community College graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Cascadia Community College

13

Renton Technical College earned the #13 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Renton. About 11 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Renton Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Renton Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Renton Technical College

14
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College placed #14 among the best liberal arts schools. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Olympic College awarded about 624 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $29,917 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,598 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Olympic College

15

Big Bend Community College placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Moses Lake, Big Bend Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Big Bend Community College awarded about 271 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Big Bend Community College earn around $22,737 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full liberal arts details for Big Bend Community College

16

Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 317 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,025 in their early career. Seattle Community College Central Campus graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Seattle Community College Central Campus

17

Tacoma Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. There were roughly 592 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Tacoma Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $25,892. Tacoma Community College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Tacoma Community College

18

Spokane Community College earned the #18 position for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Spokane. Spokane Community College awarded about 348 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $34,583 in their early career. Spokane Community College graduates carry a median of $16,455 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Spokane Community College

19

South Puget Sound Community College came in at #19 for liberal arts this year. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. About 530 liberal arts degrees were awarded at South Puget Sound Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from South Puget Sound Community College earn around $29,056 in the first couple years of their career. South Puget Sound Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at South Puget Sound Community College

20

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned the #20 position for liberal arts this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. There were roughly 1,128 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,944 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

21

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #21 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 10 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $60,000 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,695. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology

22
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 793 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Clark College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Clark College earn a median of $23,953 early in their careers. Clark College graduates carry a median of $9,496 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Clark College

23
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Mount Vernon. Skagit Valley College awarded about 308 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $30,437 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,788. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Skagit Valley College

24

Walla Walla Community College earned the #24 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 226 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Walla Walla Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. Walla Walla Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Walla Walla Community College

25

Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies placed #25 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies graduates 41% of students within six years. About 10 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earn around $47,645 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full liberal arts program report for Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies

Rest of the Top 36 Liberal Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts education:

26
27
28
29
Centralia College crest
Centralia College
Centralia, WA
30
31
32
Grays Harbor College crest
Grays Harbor College
Aberdeen, WA
33
34
35
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA
36

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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