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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington

32 Colleges in the United States
13,424 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$36,280 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools.

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts general studies education in Washington.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1

No school ranked higher than Seattle Pacific University this year for liberal arts general studies. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 37 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $52,713 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Seattle Pacific University

2

Highline Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Des Moines. Highline Community College awarded about 393 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,291 in their early career. Highline Community College graduates carry a median of $6,678 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Highline Community College

3

A rank of #3 makes Seattle Community College South Campus one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 202 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent data year. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Seattle Community College South Campus

4

Columbia Basin College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Columbia Basin College awarded about 781 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Columbia Basin College

5
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at Bellevue College, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the city of Bellevue. About 982 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bellevue College earn around $29,666 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,598. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Bellevue College

6

Everett Community College came in at #6 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 677 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Everett Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $30,993 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,125. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Everett Community College

7
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University placed #7 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $35,398 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Seattle University

8

Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #8 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 226 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College North Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Seattle Community College North Campus

9

Yakima Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Yakima Valley Community College awarded about 408 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $26,743 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,367. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Yakima Valley Community College

10

Washington State University earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 88 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $40,061 early in their careers. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $22,881 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Washington State University

11

Wenatchee Valley College came in at #11 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public university. Wenatchee Valley College awarded about 363 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Wenatchee Valley College earn around $26,203 in the first couple years of their career. Wenatchee Valley College graduates carry a median of $6,936 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Wenatchee Valley College

12

Shoreline Community College came in at #12 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 349 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Shoreline Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $28,804. Shoreline Community College graduates carry a median of $8,895 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Shoreline Community College

13

Cascadia Community College earned the #13 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. Cascadia Community College awarded about 257 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. Cascadia Community College graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Cascadia Community College

14

Renton Technical College earned the #14 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. Renton Technical College awarded about 11 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Renton Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Renton Technical College

15
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College earned the #15 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 624 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Olympic College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $29,917 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,598 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Olympic College

16

Big Bend Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Moses Lake. There were roughly 271 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Big Bend Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Big Bend Community College earn around $22,737 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Big Bend Community College

17

Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #17 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 317 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $28,025. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Seattle Community College Central Campus

18

Western Washington University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 10 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Western Washington University earn around $41,118 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,361. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Western Washington University

19

Tacoma Community College came in at #19 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 592 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Tacoma Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $25,892. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Tacoma Community College

20

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #20 position for liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 31 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $30,437. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

21

Spokane Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 348 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Spokane Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $34,583. Students borrow a median of $16,455 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Spokane Community College

22

South Puget Sound Community College came in at #22 for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Olympia. South Puget Sound Community College awarded about 530 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from South Puget Sound Community College earn around $29,056 in the first couple years of their career. South Puget Sound Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from South Puget Sound Community College

23

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #23 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. There were roughly 1,128 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $24,101 in their early career. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom graduates carry a median of $10,944 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

24

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $30,437 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,323. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Washington Bothell Campus

25

City University Of Seattle came in at #25 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. City University Of Seattle awarded about 18 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from City University Of Seattle earn around $76,698 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at City University Of Seattle

Rest of the Top 42 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

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

26
27
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA
28
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA
29
30
31
32
33
34
Centralia College crest
Centralia College
Centralia, WA
35
36
37
Grays Harbor College crest
Grays Harbor College
Aberdeen, WA
38
39
40
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA
41
42

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Notes and References

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 · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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