Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 164 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 The Plains States 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.
University Of Iowa tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 200 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Iowa earn around $40,791 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Iowa
A rank of #2 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 102 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Kansas earn around $42,527 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Kansas
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 112 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $39,992 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Mount Mercy University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Mount Mercy University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 13 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Mount Mercy University earn around $50,431 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Mount Mercy University
Pittsburg State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,370 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,597 early in their careers. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Pittsburg State University
Johnson County Community College earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Johnson County Community College awarded about 1,272 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $29,855. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $9,700 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Johnson County Community College
Bismarck State College earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 256 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bismarck State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $33,358 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Bismarck State College
St Catherine University earned the #8 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. St Catherine University graduates 61% of students within six years. St Catherine University awarded about 10 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Typical student debt for the program is $29,883.
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Des Moines Area Community College placed #9 among the best liberal arts schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 673 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,453 in their early career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Des Moines Area Community College
Bemidji State University placed #10 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 78 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Bemidji State University
Winona State University landed the #11 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 33 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $46,673. Students borrow a median of $13,062 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Winona State University
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #12 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates 68% of students within six years. About 48 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northwestern College Minnesota earn around $44,857 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,505.
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Hutchinson Community College placed #13 among the best liberal arts schools. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. There were roughly 477 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $26,151 early in their careers. Hutchinson Community College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
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Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #14 for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Omaha. About 342 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Metropolitan Community College Area earn around $33,011 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,214 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Metropolitan Community College Area
Century College earned the #15 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. About 383 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Century College earn a median of $38,376 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete this degree.
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Saint Cloud State University placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 94 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
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Central Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. There were roughly 151 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,198 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,313.
See the full liberal arts program report for Central Community College
Saint Louis Community College came in at #18 for liberal arts this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. About 1,181 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Saint Louis Community College
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #19 for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 76 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $27,187. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Minnesota State University Mankato
Doane College Crete landed the #20 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Doane College Crete graduates 57% of students within six years. Doane College Crete awarded about 20 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Doane College Crete earn a median of $53,500 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,802.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Doane College Crete
North Iowa Area Community College placed #21 among the best liberal arts schools. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. About 323 liberal arts degrees were awarded at North Iowa Area Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $27,433 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,335.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from North Iowa Area Community College
Fort Hays State University placed #22 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Fort Hays State University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 191 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,649 early in their careers. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Fort Hays State University
St Charles Community College came in at #23 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Cottleville. About 537 liberal arts degrees were awarded at St Charles Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $25,968 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from St Charles Community College
Williston State College placed #24 among the best liberal arts schools. This small public university is located in the town of Williston. About 95 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Williston State College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $31,871 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #25 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 52 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $14,747 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $4,500.
Get the full liberal arts details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts education:
This list is compiled 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 · 164 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).
