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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the New England Region

53 Colleges in the United States
9,340 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,426 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 131 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts general studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in the New England 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 general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Leading the list is Dartmouth College, our #1 school for liberal arts general studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Dartmouth College

2
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 25 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $61,133. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Yale University

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 22 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Harvard University earn around $54,555 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Harvard University

4

University Of Connecticut came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 119 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $44,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Connecticut

5
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 25 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Wesleyan University

6

Sacred Heart University earned the #6 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Sacred Heart University awarded about 33 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Sacred Heart University

7
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Merrimack College graduates 70% of students within six years. About 34 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Merrimack College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $50,506 in their early career. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Merrimack College

8

Worcester State University earned the #8 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Worcester State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Worcester State University awarded about 27 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. Worcester State University graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Worcester State University

9
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Burlington. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Typical student debt for the program is $22,607. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Vermont

10
Champlain College crest
Champlain College
Burlington, VT

Champlain College earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Champlain College graduates 65% of students within six years. Champlain College awarded about 15 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Champlain College earn a median of $71,207 early in their careers. Champlain College graduates carry a median of $23,949 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Champlain College

11

Salve Regina University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. Salve Regina University awarded about 17 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Salve Regina University generally make around $56,636. Salve Regina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Salve Regina University

12

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 67 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $36,362 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,742. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

13

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #13 for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of New Haven. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $36,168. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Southern Connecticut State University

14

Central Connecticut State University placed #14 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. Central Connecticut State University awarded about 60 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $60,151 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Central Connecticut State University

15
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #15 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Endicott College graduates 75% of students within six years. About 33 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Endicott College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $45,277 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,456. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Endicott College

16
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven earned the #16 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of West Haven. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of New Haven awarded about 11 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of New Haven

17

Capital Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Capital Community College awarded about 1,146 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Capital Community College earn around $25,072 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,050. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Capital Community College

18

Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #18 for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bedford. Middlesex Community College Bedford awarded about 219 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,928. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Middlesex Community College Bedford

19

Framingham State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Framingham State University graduates 48% of students within six years. Framingham State University awarded about 24 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Framingham State University earn around $31,613 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Framingham State University

20

Charter Oak State College came in at #20 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. Charter Oak State College awarded about 142 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $44,615 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,205 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Charter Oak State College

21

Westfield State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 41 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Westfield State University earn around $35,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Westfield State University

22

North Shore Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 181 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at North Shore Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from North Shore Community College earn around $33,353 in the first couple years of their career. North Shore Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for North Shore Community College

23

University Of Bridgeport ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 41% of students finish within six years. University Of Bridgeport awarded about 33 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $43,743. Typical student debt for the program is $35,340. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at University Of Bridgeport

24

Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Connecticut State University awarded about 49 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Eastern Connecticut State University earn around $41,870 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,373 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Eastern Connecticut State University

25

University Of Maine At Presque Isle ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. About 244 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maine At Presque Isle in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $38,395 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Maine At Presque Isle

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
34
35
36
37
Husson University crest
Husson University
Bangor, ME
38
39
40
Goodwin College crest
Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT
41
42
College Of The Atlantic crest
College Of The Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME
43
44
45
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA
46
Roxbury Community College crest
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA
47
48
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 131 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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