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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate’s Degree Schools

791 Colleges in the United States
230,321 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$35,655 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 2221 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in the United States

Below are the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 school for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 106 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Florida

2

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 33 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,761 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Loyola University Chicago

3

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 417 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $48,391 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,135 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Central Florida

4

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $73,749 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for George Washington University

5

Irvine Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. About 1,273 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Irvine Valley College in the most recent year. Irvine Valley College graduates carry a median of $5,754 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Irvine Valley College

6

Highline Community College came in at #6 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 393 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $31,291 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,678. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Highline Community College

7
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #7 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 930 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Harper College earn a median of $27,619 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Harper College

8

University Of Delaware earned the #8 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. About 194 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $13,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Delaware

9

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #9 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 130 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Santa Rosa Junior College

10

Seattle Community College South Campus placed #10 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Community College South Campus awarded about 202 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Seattle Community College South Campus

11

Santiago Canyon College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. There were roughly 675 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $37,149. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Santiago Canyon College

12
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #12 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 216 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $35,361 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $21,349 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Florida State University

13

College Of Lake County came in at #13 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 766 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for College Of Lake County

14
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #14 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 87 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $39,652 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at New York University

15
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 10 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Yeshiva University

16
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 729 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at College Of Dupage

17

Columbia Basin College earned the #17 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Pasco. There were roughly 781 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Columbia Basin College earn around $63,976 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia Basin College graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Columbia Basin College

18
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College placed #18 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bellevue. There were roughly 982 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $29,666 in their early career. Bellevue College graduates carry a median of $9,598 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Bellevue College

19

Elgin Community College came in at #19 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. About 574 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $25,377. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Elgin Community College

20
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Typical student debt for the program is $25,487. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Adelphi University

21

City College Of San Francisco came in at #21 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. About 348 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from City College Of San Francisco

22
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 1,921 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $35,804 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Salt Lake Community College

23
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. About 544 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Oxnard College

24

Everett Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large public university is located in the city of Everett. About 677 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Everett Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Everett Community College earn around $30,993 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Everett Community College

25

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 57% of students finish within six years. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 333 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Florida Gulf Coast University

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
31
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL
32
33
34
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
35
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL
36
37
38
39
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
40
41
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
42
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Additional Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Award Winners

These schools also stood out for liberal arts / sciences & humanities:

Rank School Location
#52 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
#54 Seminole State College Of Florida Sanford, FL
#58 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
#64 University Of Maryland University College Adelphi, MD
#67 Weber State University Ogden, UT
#74 Miami Dade College Miami, FL
#75 Capital Community College New Britain, CT
#78 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL
#79 El Centro College Dallas, TX
#80 Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, IL
#82 Randolph Community College Asheboro, NC
#83 Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD
#85 Valencia College Orlando, FL
#86 Austin Community College District Austin, TX
#87 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
#88 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX
#97 Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE
#98 Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC
#99 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
#101 Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA
#103 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
#107 Burlington County College Mount Laurel, NJ
#109 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
#113 Florida State College At Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
#117 Macomb Community College Warren, MI

Honorable Mentions

A few more liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools worth a look:

Other Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degree Levels

Explore the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Master's Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
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View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >

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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 · 2221 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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