Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 schools to find the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in North Carolina
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 / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Wake Forest University tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
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A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 24 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $51,346. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot 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. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $37,709 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 63 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $45,181 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $25,993 in student loans.
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Randolph Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #5. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 172 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $40,145 early in their careers.
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Wake Technical Community College placed #6 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Raleigh. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 1,458 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $30,373 early in their careers. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Central Piedmont Community College placed #7 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. About 1,822 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $24,056 in their early career. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans.
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East Carolina University earned the #8 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 233 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $36,809. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Catawba Valley Community College came in at #9 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 458 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Catawba Valley Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $23,951 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,429.
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Cape Fear Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Cape Fear Community College awarded about 832 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $30,056. Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median of $8,734 in student loans.
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Gaston College earned the #11 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Gaston College awarded about 475 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,334.
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Alamance Community College placed #12 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Graham. There were roughly 380 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Alamance Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree.
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Pitt Community College placed #13 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 447 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Pitt Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $43,022 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,550 to complete this degree.
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Wayne Community College placed #14 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Goldsboro. About 211 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Wayne Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,028 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #15 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 443 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,719 to complete this degree.
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Western Piedmont Community College came in at #16 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Morganton. About 155 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Western Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Western Piedmont Community College earn around $29,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,999.
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Stanly Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Albemarle. There were roughly 157 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Stanly Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Stanly Community College earn around $28,120 in the first couple years of their career.
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Wilkes Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. There were roughly 161 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $25,681. Wilkes Community College graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans.
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Durham Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 268 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Durham Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Durham Technical Community College earn around $23,876 in the first couple years of their career. Durham Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans.
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Johnston Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 365 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Johnston Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. Johnston Community College graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 700 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. Typical student debt for the program is $12,037.
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Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. About 119 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southwestern Community College Sylva in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $25,973 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,500.
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Rockingham Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Rockingham Community College awarded about 151 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $30,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Vance Granville Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. There were roughly 281 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Vance Granville Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Vance Granville Community College earn around $34,109 in the first couple years of their career. Vance Granville Community College graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans.
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Surry Community College placed #25 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dobson. About 229 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Surry Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $24,635 early in their careers. Surry Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
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 · 95 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).
