ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

25 Colleges in the United States
2,810 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,909 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 105 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 4
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 24.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AA in Liberal Arts" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AA in Liberal Arts" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in General Studies" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in General Studies" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Pennsylvania

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

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Wilkes University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 57 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Wilkes University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Wilkes University

3

Carnegie Mellon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 36 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Typical student debt for the program is $25,515. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Carnegie Mellon University

4
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 122 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,293 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Pennsylvania

5

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #5. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 117 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

6
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #6 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Villanova University earn around $52,183 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Villanova University

7

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 45 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

8
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $62,470 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,154 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Drexel University

9

University Of Scranton came in at #9 for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. University Of Scranton awarded about 29 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Scranton earn around $56,861 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Scranton

10

Pennsylvania Western University placed #10 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 143 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Pennsylvania Western University

11

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,867. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

12

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 48 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $56,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,467 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

13

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 68 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

14

Saint Vincent College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Saint Vincent College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. Students borrow a median of $26,986 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Saint Vincent College

15
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University placed #15 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carlow University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Carlow University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Carlow University earn around $66,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,222. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Carlow University

16

Neumann University came in at #16 for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aston. Neumann University graduates 53% of students within six years. Neumann University awarded about 47 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Neumann University earn around $35,220 in the first couple years of their career. Neumann University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Neumann University

17
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University earned the #17 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Eastern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $28,442. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Eastern University

18
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #18 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $23,774. La Salle University graduates carry a median of $4,004 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at La Salle University

19

Butler County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 23 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Butler County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $28,138 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,932 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Butler County Community College

20

Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Community College Of Philadelphia awarded about 193 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $32,697. Community College Of Philadelphia graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Community College Of Philadelphia

21

Delaware County Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. About 151 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Delaware County Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $29,277 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Delaware County Community College

22
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University placed #22 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 25 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Temple University earn around $35,205 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,372. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Temple University

23

Montgomery County Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blue Bell. About 182 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Montgomery County Community College earn around $25,868 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Montgomery County Community College

24
Peirce College crest
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA

Peirce College came in at #24 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit university. Peirce College graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Peirce College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Peirce College earn a median of $53,071 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $44,247. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Peirce College

25

Bucks County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. About 24 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Bucks County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bucks County Community College earn around $24,235 in the first couple years of their career. Bucks County Community College graduates carry a median of $10,426 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Bucks County Community College

Rest of the Top 36 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts general studies education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Lackawanna College crest
Lackawanna College
Scranton, PA
36

ADBLOCK #173
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 105 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options