Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 236 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for liberal arts. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 71 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $59,139. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northwestern University
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #2. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $59,877 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for liberal arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 38 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $7,761 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Loyola University Chicago
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for liberal arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 196 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,655 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $21,671 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Indiana University Bloomington
Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $45,579 early in their careers. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Notre Dame
Harper College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 1,823 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Harper College earn a median of $27,619 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Harper College
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,094 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 626 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,678 in their early career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from College Of Dupage
Xavier University came in at #9 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $47,064 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 88 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,273 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Eastern Illinois University
College Of Lake County ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. There were roughly 1,587 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from College Of Lake County earn around $33,413 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $6,687 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for College Of Lake County
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 13 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Typical student debt for the program is $23,917.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Joliet Junior College earned the #13 position for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 509 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,296 in their early career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Joliet Junior College
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #14 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 14 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $32,604 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,784 in student loans.
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Rock Valley College placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Rock Valley College awarded about 501 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Rock Valley College earn around $27,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,035.
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Illinois State University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $31,745. Students borrow a median of $23,621 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Illinois State University
Elgin Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. About 1,223 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $25,377. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans.
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Ball State University placed #18 among the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 205 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,965.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Ball State University
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #19 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $34,573 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,707.
See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Southern Indiana
Kankakee Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Kankakee Community College awarded about 141 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $60,509 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Kankakee Community College
Marian University Indiana earned the #21 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Marian University Indiana in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Marian University Indiana earn around $49,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,633.
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Waubonsee Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 440 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,597 in their early career. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Waubonsee Community College
Lincoln Land Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lincoln Land Community College awarded about 353 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. Lincoln Land Community College graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans.
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Northern Illinois University placed #24 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 93 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $29,426 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $30,839 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Northern Illinois University
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 666 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn around $31,322 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,348.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 236 schools evaluated.
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 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).
