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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia

26 Colleges in the United States
10,914 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$33,243 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 52 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 Virginia

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

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 705 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 134 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $49,408 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for James Madison University

3

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 390 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. 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

4
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at University Of Richmond, which ranked #4. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 21 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Richmond

5
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #5. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 45 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $37,677 early in their careers. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $22,354 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Mary Washington

6
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Longwood University awarded about 35 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $46,714 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,375. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Longwood University

7

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #7 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. About 1,069 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $28,249 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,875. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Northern Virginia Community College

8
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. Bridgewater College graduates 53% of students within six years. Bridgewater College awarded about 17 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $46,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Bridgewater College

9

Eastern Mennonite University placed #9 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Eastern Mennonite University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $46,585 in their early career. Eastern Mennonite University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Eastern Mennonite University

10

Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #10 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded about 887 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $21,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,865. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Lord Fairfax Community College

11
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Hampton University awarded about 23 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $37,179 in their early career. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Hampton University

12

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 427 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn around $24,029 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave

13
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College came in at #13 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Germanna Community College awarded about 1,244 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Germanna Community College earn around $26,563 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,227. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Germanna Community College

14

Tidewater Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 647 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,971. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Tidewater Community College

15

John Tyler Community College came in at #15 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. John Tyler Community College awarded about 318 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $25,346. John Tyler Community College graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for John Tyler Community College

16

The University Of Virginias College At Wise placed #16 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 51 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for The University Of Virginias College At Wise

17
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. Bluefield College graduates 18% of students within six years. Bluefield College awarded about 26 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $49,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,780 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Bluefield College

18
Mary Baldwin College crest
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College earned the #18 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Mary Baldwin College graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Mary Baldwin College earn around $40,887 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,089. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Mary Baldwin College

19
Ferrum College crest
Ferrum College
Ferrum, VA

Ferrum College came in at #19 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Ferrum, Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. Ferrum College awarded about 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ferrum College generally make around $34,992. Typical student debt for the program is $28,625. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Ferrum College

20

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Richmond. There were roughly 477 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

21

Southside Virginia Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Alberta. About 517 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $23,346 in their early career. Southside Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Southside Virginia Community College

22

Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Thomas Nelson Community College awarded about 167 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Thomas Nelson Community College earn around $31,228 in the first couple years of their career. Thomas Nelson Community College graduates carry a median of $8,165 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Thomas Nelson Community College

23

Patrick Henry Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 362 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Patrick Henry Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Patrick Henry Community College

24

New River Community College placed #24 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. New River Community College awarded about 315 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $25,746 early in their careers. New River Community College graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for New River Community College

25

Southwest Virginia Community College placed #25 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. There were roughly 206 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. Southwest Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Southwest Virginia Community College

Rest of the Top 38 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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