Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 2221 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 705 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $69,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 316 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $45,243. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $46,072. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Cornell University
Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Loyola Marymount University, which ranked #4. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Loyola Marymount University
Southern Methodist University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 80 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $57,967. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Southern Methodist University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 100 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $35,056 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Georgetown University landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Georgetown University earn around $66,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Georgetown University
James Madison University placed #8 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 134 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from James Madison University earn around $49,408 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for James Madison University
University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $53,546 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for University Of Georgia
Yale University earned the #10 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 21 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $61,133 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Yale University
University Of San Diego ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of San Diego awarded about 15 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of San Diego
George Mason University landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 390 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from George Mason University earn around $41,398 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for George Mason University
University Of Delaware ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 191 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $13,833 in their early career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Delaware
Seattle Pacific University earned the #14 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 37 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $52,713 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Seattle Pacific University
Harvard University came in at #15 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 22 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $54,555. Typical student debt for the program is $20,126.
Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Harvard University
San Diego State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 268 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $23,190 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,496 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at San Diego State University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #17 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $37,709. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
New York University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 656 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $38,447 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,787.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for New York University
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 21 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Colorado Boulder
Sonoma State University came in at #20 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 102 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $39,758 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Sonoma State University
Rowan University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 183 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $43,486 early in their careers. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Rowan University
University Of Arizona ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for University Of Arizona
California State University Fullerton landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 154 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $24,706 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,535.
Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for California State University Fullerton
Suny At Binghamton landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. About 82% of students finish within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 21 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Suny At Binghamton
University Of Iowa landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 202 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,791. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Iowa
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:
This list is compiled 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.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
