2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

1

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for liberal arts. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 221 liberal arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $69,994 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

A rank of #2 makes Southern Methodist University one of the top schools for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 41 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $57,967 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Southern Methodist University

3

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 344 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $43,752. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northern Arizona University

4

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

A rank of #4 makes Abilene Christian University one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Abilene Christian University awarded about 66 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Abilene Christian University

5

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

University Of St Thomas Texas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 10 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of St Thomas Texas earn around $50,420 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of St Thomas Texas

6

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #6 spot for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. About 240 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $55,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

7

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #7 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. About 34 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $35,565. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Houston

8

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District came in at #8 for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. There were roughly 1,707 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $32,114. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Collin County Community College District

9

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University placed #9 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $42,008. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Texas Christian University

10

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #10 for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 38 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,938 early in their careers. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

11

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #11 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 79 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Arizona State University earn around $44,173 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Arizona State University

12

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 284 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $33,709 in their early career. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College

13

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 14 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $40,600 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $28,713 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Texas Tech University

14

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College came in at #14 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. About 420 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $46,084 early in their careers. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Mesa Community College

15

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Stephen F Austin State University earn around $42,197 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Stephen F Austin State University

16

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 368 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az

17

Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 130 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $31,759 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full liberal arts details for Scottsdale Community College

18

Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ

Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. About 298 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Estrella Mountain Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $78,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full liberal arts program report for Estrella Mountain Community College

19

Gateway Community College Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ

Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. About 84 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,736. Get the full liberal arts details for Gateway Community College Phoenix

20

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #20 for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 6,485 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,180 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,689 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Lone Star College System

21

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College came in at #21 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. There were roughly 231 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Phoenix College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Phoenix College earn around $31,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Phoenix College

22

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #22 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 334 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $44,173 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Arizona State University Skysong

23

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 2,712 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Pima Community College earn around $31,002 in the first couple years of their career. Pima Community College graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Pima Community College

24

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Killeen. Central Texas College awarded about 400 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Central Texas College earn around $39,731 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Central Texas College

25

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College came in at #25 for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 1,025 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Grayson College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $34,262 early in their careers. Grayson College graduates carry a median of $8,375 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Grayson College