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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

108 Colleges in the United States
17,798 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,559 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 255 schools to find the best for liberal arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for liberal arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University 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. See the full liberal arts program report for Georgetown University

2
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

A rank of #2 makes Stony Brook University one of the top schools for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $74,387. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537. See the full liberal arts program report for Stony Brook University

3
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 691 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of New York University earn a median of $39,652 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for New York University

4
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. About 67% of students finish within six years. Rowan University awarded about 65 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $43,486 in their early career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Rowan University

5

Suny At Binghamton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #5. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. 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. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $51,766 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,691. Get the full liberal arts details for Suny At Binghamton

6
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Wilkes University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $64,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Wilkes University

7
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 19 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Syracuse University

8

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 29 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $89,327 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $25,515 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Carnegie Mellon University

9
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University earned the #9 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Rider University earn a median of $41,315 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,233. Read more about the liberal arts program at Rider University

10
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $68,293 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Pennsylvania

11

University Of Delaware earned the #11 position for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 16 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $13,833. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Delaware

12

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 117 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. See the full liberal arts program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

13

Saint John Fisher College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 20 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Saint John Fisher College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $55,630 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,086 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Saint John Fisher College

14
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University earned the #14 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. Get the full liberal arts details for Yeshiva University

15
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University earned the #15 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Salisbury University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Salisbury University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Salisbury University earn around $38,478 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Salisbury University

16
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University earned the #16 position for liberal arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Villanova University awarded about 18 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Villanova University earn around $52,183 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Villanova University

17

Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 26 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $45,147 in the first couple years of their career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Johns Hopkins University

18

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #18 for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. See the full liberal arts program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

19

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #19 for liberal arts this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 193 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $42,209 in their early career. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey

20
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #20 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Cuny City College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 77 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Cuny City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $43,059 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,985. Get the full liberal arts details for Cuny City College

21
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY

Daemen College came in at #21 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Daemen College graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Daemen College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Daemen College graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Daemen College

22
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drexel University awarded about 46 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Drexel University earn around $62,470 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,154 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Drexel University

23
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Niagara University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 21 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Niagara University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Niagara University

24
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Adelphi University awarded about 32 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Adelphi University

25

Suffolk County Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 28 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,874 in their early career. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Suffolk County Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts this year:

26
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
27
28
29
30
31
32
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY
33
34
Dyouville College crest
Dyouville College
Buffalo, NY
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY
43
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ
44
45
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
46
47
48
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ
49
50

Additional Liberal Arts Award Winners

These schools also stood out for liberal arts:

Rank School Location
#54 Montgomery College Rockville, MD
#62 Bergen Community College Paramus, NJ
#63 The Community College Of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
#67 Chesapeake College Wye Mills, MD
#83 Community College Of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
#84 Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY
#107 St Johns College Maryland Annapolis, MD

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for liberal arts:

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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 · 255 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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