2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in the New England Region

1

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Leading the list is Wesleyan University, our #1 school for liberal arts. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wesleyan University awarded about 25 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Wesleyan University

2

Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Merrimack College, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of North Andover. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Merrimack College awarded about 34 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,913. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Merrimack College

3

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at University Of Vermont, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of Vermont awarded about 11 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,607. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Vermont

4

Champlain College
Burlington, VT

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Champlain College, which ranked #4. Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Burlington. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 15 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Champlain College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Champlain College earn around $71,207 in the first couple years of their career. Champlain College graduates carry a median of $23,949 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Champlain College

5

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 142 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southern Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southern Connecticut State University earn around $36,168 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,625. Get the full liberal arts details for Southern Connecticut State University

6

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Endicott College awarded about 29 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $45,277 early in their careers. Endicott College graduates carry a median of $15,456 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Endicott College

7

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. There were roughly 522 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Capital Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,072 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,050 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Capital Community College

8

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #8 for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bedford. There were roughly 153 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Middlesex Community College Bedford in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,451 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Middlesex Community College Bedford

9

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University came in at #9 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Framingham State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $31,613 early in their careers. Framingham State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Framingham State University

10

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College came in at #10 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 142 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Charter Oak State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Charter Oak State College earn around $44,615 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,205 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Charter Oak State College

11

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Westfield State University awarded about 34 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $35,004. Westfield State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Westfield State University

12

North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA

North Shore Community College placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 91 liberal arts degrees were awarded at North Shore Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from North Shore Community College earn around $33,353 in the first couple years of their career. North Shore Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from North Shore Community College

13

University Of Maine At Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME

University Of Maine At Presque Isle ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 244 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maine At Presque Isle in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn around $38,395 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Maine At Presque Isle

14

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

Bunker Hill Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. About 113 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $38,564. Typical student debt for the program is $9,585. See the full liberal arts program report for Bunker Hill Community College

15

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Maine earn around $34,404 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,166. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Maine

16

Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA

Springfield Technical Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Springfield Technical Community College awarded about 143 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $30,413. Typical student debt for the program is $8,734. Read more about the liberal arts program at Springfield Technical Community College

17

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 31 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $37,790 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Massachusetts Bay Community College

18

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 28 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hartford in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $6,992 in their early career. University Of Hartford graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Hartford

19

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 97 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bristol Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,206 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250. Read more about the liberal arts program at Bristol Community College

20

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #20 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $37,140. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

21

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Students borrow a median of $30,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

22

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

Northern Essex Community College came in at #22 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Haverhill. Northern Essex Community College awarded about 79 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northern Essex Community College earn around $31,549 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Essex Community College graduates carry a median of $9,969 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northern Essex Community College

23

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College came in at #23 for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 117 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Massasoit Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Massasoit Community College earn around $28,529 in the first couple years of their career. Massasoit Community College graduates carry a median of $9,375 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Massasoit Community College

24

College Of The Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME

College Of The Atlantic ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. College Of The Atlantic is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bar Harbor. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 liberal arts degrees were awarded at College Of The Atlantic in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of The Atlantic generally make around $23,003. Students borrow a median of $25,475 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at College Of The Atlantic

25

Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College came in at #25 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Quinsigamond Community College awarded about 25 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $33,524 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Quinsigamond Community College