2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 705 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 134 liberal arts degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $49,408. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for James Madison University

3

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 101 liberal arts degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $41,398. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from George Mason University

4

University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Richmond awarded about 21 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $53,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Richmond

5

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the top schools for liberal arts. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $37,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,354 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Mary Washington

6

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #6 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Longwood University earn around $46,714 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,375. Read more about the liberal arts program at Longwood University

7

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #7 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. Bridgewater College graduates 53% of students within six years. Bridgewater College awarded about 17 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $46,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Bridgewater College

8

Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University placed #8 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 16 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Mennonite University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Eastern Mennonite University generally make around $46,585. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the liberal arts program at Eastern Mennonite University

9

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #9 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded about 436 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $21,827. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Lord Fairfax Community College

10

Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University landed the #10 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 19 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Hampton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $37,179. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Hampton University

11

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #11 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. About 253 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn around $24,029 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,625. Get the full liberal arts details for Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave

12

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College earned the #12 position for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Locust Grove. About 782 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Germanna Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $26,563. Typical student debt for the program is $8,227. Read more about the liberal arts program at Germanna Community College

13

The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Wise, VA

The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #13 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Virginias College At Wise graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. The University Of Virginias College At Wise graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from The University Of Virginias College At Wise

14

Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Staunton. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mary Baldwin College awarded about 32 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $40,887 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Mary Baldwin College

15

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Southside Virginia Community College placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. About 356 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southside Virginia Community College earn around $23,346 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southside Virginia Community College

16

Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, VA

Patrick Henry Community College came in at #16 for liberal arts this year. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. About 268 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Patrick Henry Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $21,360 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250. Read more about the liberal arts program at Patrick Henry Community College

17

New River Community College
Dublin, VA

New River Community College placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Dublin. New River Community College awarded about 273 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $25,746 early in their careers. New River Community College graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at New River Community College

18

Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA

Southwest Virginia Community College placed #18 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Southwest Virginia Community College awarded about 115 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. Southwest Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Southwest Virginia Community College

19

Dabney S Lancaster Community College
Clifton Forge, VA

Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. Dabney S Lancaster Community College awarded about 43 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Dabney S Lancaster Community College

20

Rappahannock Community College
Glenns, VA

Rappahannock Community College placed #20 among the best liberal arts schools. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. About 200 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Rappahannock Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $24,024 in their early career. Rappahannock Community College graduates carry a median of $6,792 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Rappahannock Community College

21

Danville Community College
Danville, VA

Danville Community College placed #21 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 97 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Danville Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $28,056 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Danville Community College

22

Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA

Wytheville Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 151 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Wytheville Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Wytheville Community College earn around $22,162 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,438. Get the full liberal arts details for Wytheville Community College

23

Eastern Shore Community College
Melfa, VA

Eastern Shore Community College came in at #23 for liberal arts this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Melfa. About 36 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Shore Community College in the most recent year. Get the full liberal arts details for Eastern Shore Community College

24

Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA

Virginia Highlands Community College earned the #24 position for liberal arts this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. Virginia Highlands Community College awarded about 123 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Virginia Highlands Community College earn around $16,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the liberal arts program at Virginia Highlands Community College

25

Paul D Camp Community College
Franklin, VA

Paul D Camp Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. Paul D Camp Community College awarded about 117 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Paul D Camp Community College earn around $27,232 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,955. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Paul D Camp Community College