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

25 Colleges in the United States
5,804 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,891 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools to find the best for liberal arts general studies students.

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. St Catherine University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at St Catherine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $60,427 in their early career. St Catherine University graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at St Catherine University

2

A rank of #2 makes Bemidji State University one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. 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 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bemidji State University earn around $48,984 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,819. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Bemidji State University

3

Winona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 33 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $46,673. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $13,062 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Winona State University

4

Northwestern College Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $44,857. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Northwestern College Minnesota

5
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. There were roughly 383 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Century College earn a median of $38,376 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,264. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Century College

6

Saint Cloud State University came in at #6 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 94 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Saint Cloud State University earn around $51,625 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Cloud State University graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Saint Cloud State University

7

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #7 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 86 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $27,187 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Minnesota State University Mankato

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #8 position for liberal arts general studies 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 55 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $14,747 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. About 198 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Ridgewater College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $29,262 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,389 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Ridgewater College

10

Anoka Ramsey Community College earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 612 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $32,056 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,943. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Anoka Ramsey Community College

11

St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. St Cloud Technical And Community College awarded about 237 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $37,802 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,111. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from St Cloud Technical And Community College

12

Lake Superior College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. About 263 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Lake Superior College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $33,525 early in their careers. Lake Superior College graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Lake Superior College

13

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #13 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $61,465 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Bethel University Minnesota

14

Normandale Community College placed #14 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 671 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Normandale Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $33,809 early in their careers. Normandale Community College graduates carry a median of $12,778 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Normandale Community College

15

Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 51 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $18,730 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Alexandria Technical And Community College

16
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Augsburg College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Augsburg College earn around $59,409 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,319 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Augsburg College

17

Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Rochester. There were roughly 209 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $34,094 early in their careers. Rochester Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Rochester Community And Technical College

18

Central Lakes College Brainerd landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Central Lakes College Brainerd awarded about 336 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $26,133. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Central Lakes College Brainerd

19

Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southwest Minnesota State University awarded about 19 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $47,898 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Southwest Minnesota State University

20
Inver Hills Community College crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, MN

Inver Hills Community College placed #20 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. There were roughly 205 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Inver Hills Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $41,906 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,575 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Inver Hills Community College

21

Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #21 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Minnesota State Community And Technical College awarded about 237 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn around $31,817 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,963 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Minnesota State Community And Technical College

22
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College came in at #22 for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of North Mankato. There were roughly 132 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at South Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from South Central College earn around $32,719 in the first couple years of their career. South Central College graduates carry a median of $12,239 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for South Central College

23

North Hennepin Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. North Hennepin Community College awarded about 206 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from North Hennepin Community College earn around $37,317 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,830 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from North Hennepin Community College

24

Northland Community And Technical College came in at #24 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 99 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northland Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $35,158. Students borrow a median of $14,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Northland Community And Technical College

25

Riverland Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 230 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Riverland Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Riverland Community College earn around $38,856 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Riverland Community College

Rest of the Top 37 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Crown College crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

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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 · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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