Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students

BEST IN THE US LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

By James Barham

Published: Jan 11, 2021
Updated: Oct 16, 2023

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

San Francisco State University 93%
California State University, Los Angeles 91%
California State University, Northridge 88%
Suffolk University 88%
Fairleigh Dickinson University 85%
San Jose State University 84%
Willamette University 80%
Hampshire College 75%
Calvin University 75%
Morehouse College 65%

California State University, Northridge 28 to 1
California State University, Fullerton 27 to 1
California State University, Los Angeles 25 to 1
San Jose State University 25 to 1
California State University, Long Beach 24 to 1
San Francisco State University 22 to 1
Baruch College 20 to 1
Brooklyn College 17 to 1
Queens College, City University of New York 17 to 1
Hunter College 15 to 1

Kenyon College $63,310
Vassar College $62,870
Reed College $62,730
Colorado College $62,070
Wesleyan University $62,049
Colgate University $61,966
Union College, New York $61,659
Haverford College $61,210
Amherst College $61,150
Wellesley College $60,752

Claremont McKenna College $64,288
Vassar College $61,940
Colgate University $61,594
Wesleyan University $61,449
Williams College $59,728
Occidental College $57,830
Smith College $55,830
Bryn Mawr College $48,328
Willamette University $43,735
Suffolk University $39,450

Calvin University
Macalester College
Willamette University
Suffolk University
California State University, Long Beach
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Claremont McKenna College
Dickinson College
California State University, Fullerton
Harvey Mudd College

Pomona College 7%
Swarthmore College 8%
United States Naval Academy 8%
Amherst College 9%
Williams College 9%
Bowdoin College 9%
Harvey Mudd College 10%
Claremont McKenna College 11%
Barnard College 11%
United States Military Academy 11%

United States Air Force Academy 6 to 1
Pomona College 6 to 1
Williams College 6 to 1
Amherst College 7 to 1
Swarthmore College 7 to 1
Smith College 7 to 1
Wellesley College 7 to 1
United States Military Academy 7 to 1
Dickinson College 8 to 1
Carleton College 8 to 1

California State University, Fullerton $5,742
California State University, Long Beach $5,742
San Francisco State University $5,742
California State University, Los Angeles $5,742
San Jose State University $5,742
California State University, Northridge $5,742
Hunter College $6,930
Baruch College $6,930
Brooklyn College $6,930
Queens College, City University of New York $6,930

Dickinson College $3,750
California State University, Fullerton $7,176
California State University, Long Beach $7,176
San Francisco State University $7,176
California State University, Los Angeles $7,176
San Jose State University $7,176
California State University, Northridge $7,176
Fairleigh Dickinson University $9,780
Hunter College $11,090
Baruch College $11,090

Key Takeaways

The best liberal arts colleges offer a great education that will result in a well-rounded, educated person.
The best liberal arts colleges offer smaller class sizes and more opportunities for interaction with professors.
The smaller, intimate environment present in the best liberal arts colleges help students to mature and go into their careers confident in the skills they’ve acquired.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

What is a liberal arts college?

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. Top liberal arts colleges typically require students to select a major while simultaneously completing a wide array of courses in both the humanities and the sciences. The point of a liberal arts education is not just to learn deeply about some specialized area, but to emerge as a well rounded, broadly educated person with a fuller appreciation of life and the world.

A liberal arts college typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Liberal arts colleges are often referred to as “teaching colleges”, because of their focus on the students’ needs.

The value of liberal arts colleges is difficult to describe. Smaller campuses, smaller student bodies, more personal attention from professors, and more tightly knit cohorts are a few of the commonly mentioned benefits of liberal arts colleges. What is hard to articulate is that liberal arts students feel known by their professors and school administrators. This “being known” feeling is what keeps alumni feeling a part of their school decades after graduating, and for many alumni, the relationships formed with professors means they could comfortably call a former professor years after graduating.

Liberal arts colleges are not smaller colleges because they’ve been less successful at growing into large universities. Liberal arts colleges do not have second-rate professors who couldn’t get jobs at larger schools. The intentions of liberal arts colleges are to hire faculty who care for students over their own research, and to create an environment that allows them to continue investing in students, helping them mature and go confidently into the workforce.

How do we determine the best liberal arts colleges and universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

The following list of the best arts liberal colleges and universities is composed entirely of four-year undergraduate schools. We’ve identified 1,240 liberal arts colleges in the US. In order to be included in this list of the best liberal arts colleges and universities, a school must be fully accredited non-profit institution.

50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities in the US

#1
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore , PA
#3 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #15 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #15 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1467/32
Career Outlook for degree at Swarthmore College
Cost of Degree: $56,056
Expenses: $19,737
Starting Salary: $70,000
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Swarthmore College known for?

Swarthmore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Philosophy
Psychology
Sociology
Political Science
Physics
Mathematics
Computer Science
Literature
History

Most Influential Alumni

David Baltimore
Robert D. Putnam
Carol Gilligan
John Hopfield
Ted Nelson
Clark Kerr
Edward C. Prescott
Andries van Dam
Alice Paul
Michael Hardt
Ben Brantley
David Gale
Compare school
#2
Wesleyan University
Middletown , CT
#4 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
91%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $61,749
Expenses: $20,196
Starting Salary: $63,400
Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Wesleyan University known for?

Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Philosophy
Literature
Psychology
History
Political Science
Economics
Religious Studies
Sociology
Physics
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

Daniel Dennett
Joss Whedon
Edward Thorndike
Ram Dass
John Perry Barlow
Adolf Grünbaum
David McClelland
Robert Stalnaker
Elliot Aronson
H. Eugene Stanley
Shelly Kagan
Robert Ludlum
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#3
Reed College
Portland , OR
#5 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #10 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #10 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #18 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
44%
Graduation
73%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Reed College
Cost of Degree: $62,730
Expenses: $18,240
Starting Salary: $52,700
Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Reed College known for?

Reed College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Psychology
Philosophy
Mathematics
Literature
Economics
Physics
Sociology
Computer Science
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Gary Snyder
Dell Hymes
Eleanor Rosch
Harry Harlow
Raymond Smullyan
Howard Rheingold
Richard Wolin
John Taylor Gatto
Barbara Ehrenreich
John Haugeland
Robert Morris
Robert Frager
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#4
Amherst College
Amherst , MA
#6 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #20 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #21 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
92%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1495/33
Career Outlook for degree at Amherst College
Cost of Degree: $61,150
Expenses: $18,900
Starting Salary: $83,300
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Amherst College known for?

Amherst College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Literature
Law
Political Science
Sociology
Chemistry
History
Religious Studies
Computer Science
Physics

Most Influential Alumni

Joseph Stiglitz
Talcott Parsons
Stephen Cole Kleene
Carl Woese
Daniel Goleman
John Bates Clark
Edmund Phelps
John J. McCloy
Henry Ward Beecher
B. Alan Wallace
John C. Reynolds
David Suzuki
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#5
Williams College
Williamstown , MA
#7 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #23 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #24 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Williams College
Cost of Degree: $59,660
Expenses: $18,400
Starting Salary: $89,800
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Williams College known for?

Williams College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Economics
Political Science
History
Physics
Religious Studies
Chemistry
Anthropology
Philosophy
Sociology

Most Influential Alumni

G. Stanley Hall
Elia Kazan
Richard Helms
James C. Scott
Max Eastman
Bernard Bailyn
Robert F. Engle
Walter Kaufmann
William Cullen Bryant
James MacGregor Burns
Telford Taylor
Walker Evans
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#6
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn , NY
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
51%
Graduation
56%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/25
Career Outlook for degree at Brooklyn College
Cost of Degree: $7,440
Starting Salary: $48,800
What is Brooklyn College known for?

Brooklyn College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Economics
Literature
Social Work
Philosophy
Mathematics
Physics
History

Most Influential Alumni

Alan Dershowitz
Bhikkhu Bodhi
Philip Zimbardo
Richard E. Bellman
Stanley Milgram
Stanley Schachter
Israel Kirzner
Frank Harary
Julian Rotter
Bernie Sanders
Paul Cohen
Seymour Benzer
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#7
United States Military Academy
West Point , NY
#11 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024
Other Rankings
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
84%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1325/30
What is United States Military Academy known for?

United States Military Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Political Science
History
Engineering
Law
Chemistry
Mathematics
Literature
Philosophy
Economics
Physics

Most Influential Alumni

Douglas MacArthur
Robert E. Lee
Edgar Allan Poe
John J. Pershing
William Tecumseh Sherman
David Petraeus
Braxton Bragg
William Westmoreland
Philip Sheridan
Leslie Groves
Stonewall Jackson
James Longstreet
Compare school
#8
Wellesley College
Wellesley , MA
#9 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
92%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1435/32
Career Outlook for degree at Wellesley College
Cost of Degree: $60,752
Expenses: $20,338
Starting Salary: $71,800
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Wellesley College known for?

Wellesley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Sociology
Philosophy
Literature
Political Science
Physics
Economics
Education
History
Psychology
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Hillary Clinton
Diane Sawyer
Annie Jump Cannon
Ayesha Jalal
Mary Lefkowitz
Cokie Roberts
Bing Xin
Nergis Mavalvala
Nergis Mavalvala
Susan Estrich
Judith Martin
Emily Greene Balch
Compare school
#9
Oberlin College
Oberlin , OH
#10 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Ohio 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
82%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1315/30
Career Outlook for degree at Oberlin College
Cost of Degree: $60,243
Expenses: $21,262
Starting Salary: $45,500
Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Oberlin College known for?

Oberlin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Philosophy
Literature
Political Science
Education
Religious Studies
Sociology
Psychology
History
Biology
Physics

Most Influential Alumni

Willard Van Orman Quine
George Herbert Mead
Rollo May
Kenneth Waltz
Robert Andrews Millikan
Sinclair Lewis
Lucy Stone
John Wesley Powell
Douglas T. Ross
Elisha Gray
J. Hillis Miller
Roger Wolcott Sperry
Compare school
#10
Barnard College
New York , NY
#11 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in New York 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
93%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1434/32
Career Outlook for degree at Barnard College
Cost of Degree: $59,687
Expenses: $21,006
Starting Salary: $69,700
Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Barnard College known for?

Barnard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Anthropology
Education
Sociology
Economics
Philosophy
Political Science
History
Psychology
Religious Studies

Most Influential Alumni

Margaret Mead
Anna Schwartz
Jeane Kirkpatrick
Zora Neale Hurston
Rebecca Goldstein
Ellen Willis
Judith Jarvis Thomson
Carol Dweck
Jean Houston
Twyla Tharp
Edwidge Danticat
Cassandra Clare
Compare school
#11
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis , MD
#17 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
91%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/30
What is United States Naval Academy known for?

United States Naval Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Political Science
History
Earth Sciences
Physics
Mathematics
Literature
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics

Most Influential Alumni

Jim Lovell
Robert A. Heinlein
Oliver North
George Dewey
Alfred Thayer Mahan
John McCain
Chester W. Nimitz
Hyman G. Rickover
Scott Carpenter
Albert A. Michelson
Richard E. Byrd
Michael Mullen
Compare school
#12
San Francisco State University
San Francisco , CA
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #10 Best Public Colleges California 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in California 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
54%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/19
Career Outlook for degree at San Francisco State University
Cost of Degree: $7,304
Expenses: $20,159
Starting Salary: $54,700
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is San Francisco State University known for?

San Francisco State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Sociology
Literature
Anthropology
Communications
Philosophy
Social Work
Computer Science
Political Science
Criminal Justice
History

Most Influential Alumni

Anne Rice
Mohammad Javad Zarif
Stanley Mazor
Ann Powers
Dana Carvey
Cherríe Moraga
Michael McClure
Douglas Crockford
Saeb Erekat
Alvin Ailey
Michael Medved
Mario Savio
Compare school
#13
Hunter College
New York , NY
#4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees
Other Rankings
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
58%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/28
Career Outlook for degree at Hunter College
Cost of Degree: $7,382
Expenses: $17,556
Starting Salary: $51,800
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Hunter College known for?

Hunter College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Social Work
Literature
Sociology
Nursing
Education
Political Science
Anthropology
Philosophy
Biology
History

Most Influential Alumni

Audre Lorde
John Taylor Gatto
Rosalyn Sussman Yalow
Esther Lederberg
Gertrude B. Elion
Ada Louise Huxtable
Robert Morris
Hugh Downs
Robert C. Weaver
Mildred Dresselhaus
Sonia Sanchez
Lawrence Weiner
Compare school
#14
Smith College
Northampton , MA
#13 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #9 Best Grad Schools in Massachusetts 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
91%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Smith College
Cost of Degree: $56,114
Expenses: $22,324
Starting Salary: $51,100
Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Smith College known for?

Smith College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Social Work
Literature
Sociology
Psychology
Education
Political Science
History
Physics
Anthropology
Philosophy

Most Influential Alumni

Gloria Steinem
Betty Friedan
Chien-Shiung Wu
Julia Child
Sylvia Plath
Mary Whiton Calkins
Piper Kerman
Laura Tyson
Madeleine L'Engle
Natalie Zemon Davis
Jane Yolen
Sallie McFague
Compare school
#15
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie , NY
#14 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in New York 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degree
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
93%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/33
Career Outlook for degree at Vassar College
Cost of Degree: $62,870
Expenses: $17,960
Starting Salary: $61,500
Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Vassar College known for?

Vassar College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Computer Science
Education
Sociology
Anthropology
Physics
Philosophy
History
Psychology
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

Grace Hopper
Ruth Benedict
Neil Strauss
Edith Clarke
Elizabeth Bishop
Henry Seely White
Ellen Swallow Richards
Philip Kitcher
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Maria Mitchell
Greg Rucka
Mary McCarthy
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#16
Haverford College
Haverford , PA
#15 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #25 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
18%
Graduation
90%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/33
Career Outlook for degree at Haverford College
Cost of Degree: $60,940
Expenses: $20,360
Starting Salary: $75,100
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Haverford College known for?

Haverford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Mathematics
Literature
Religious Studies
Physics
Philosophy
Chemistry
Economics
Anthropology
History
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Fredric Jameson
Warren Sturgis McCulloch
Dave Barry
Juan Williams
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Jonathan Z. Smith
James Clifford
George Marsden
Mark Geragos
Curtis Callan
Theodore William Richards
Maxfield Parrish
Compare school
#17
San Jose State University
San Jose , CA
#2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2024 #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degree
Other Rankings
- #8 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
69%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/22
Career Outlook for degree at San Jose State University
Cost of Degree: $7,852
Expenses: $21,580
Starting Salary: $63,800
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is San Jose State University known for?

San Jose State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Criminal Justice
Communications
Computer Science
Education
Engineering
Business
Sociology
Political Science
Literature
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Béla H. Bánáthy
Dian Fossey
Alan E. Kazdin
Amy Tan
Luis Valdez
Stevie Nicks
Christopher Darden
Wayne Thiebaud
Tommie Smith
Kristine Stiles
Michael Whelan
John Carlos
Compare school
#18
Pomona College
Claremont , CA
#16 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in California 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in California 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
93%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Pomona College
Cost of Degree: $56,686
Expenses: $21,024
Starting Salary: $77,300
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Pomona College known for?

Pomona College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Religious Studies
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Sociology
Anthropology
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Jennifer Doudna
Roy E. Disney
Rosemary Radford Ruether
Louis Menand
Roger Revelle
James Turrell
Norris Bradbury
Rick Strassman
Twyla Tharp
Paul Fussell
William Irwin Thompson
George C. Wolfe
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#19
Baruch College
New York , NY
#6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024 #3 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
51%
Graduation
74%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/28
Career Outlook for degree at Baruch College
Cost of Degree: $7,464
Expenses: $26,574
Starting Salary: $63,600
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Baruch College known for?

Baruch College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Business
Psychology
Economics
Political Science
Biology
Education
Communications
Philosophy
History
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Ralph Lauren
Albert Ellis
Larry Zicklin
James Oakes
Abraham Beame
Mildred García
Immortal Technique
J. Kevin McMahon
Marc Gertz
Linda Weiser Friedman
Tarkan
Barbara A. Cornblatt
Compare school
#20
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr , PA
#17 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #8 Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
39%
Graduation
87%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Bryn Mawr College
Cost of Degree: $56,320
Expenses: $19,370
Starting Salary: $61,000
Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Bryn Mawr College known for?

Bryn Mawr College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Literature
Philosophy
Mathematics
Sociology
History
Chemistry
Biology
Earth Sciences
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

John D. Caputo
A. S. Byatt
Marianne Moore
Drew Gilpin Faust
Elaine Showalter
Martha Gellhorn
H.D.
Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Emily Greene Balch
Kathy Boudin
Olga Taussky-Todd
Alice Rivlin
Compare school
#21
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester , MA
#1 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2024 #19 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #22 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
43%
Graduation
93%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/30
Career Outlook for degree at College of the Holy Cross
Cost of Degree: $56,540
Expenses: $17,980
Starting Salary: $88,600
Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is College of the Holy Cross known for?

College of the Holy Cross’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Psychology
History
Sociology
Literature
Philosophy
Mathematics
Education
Communications
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Timothy Leary
Clarence Thomas
Anthony Fauci
Joseph Murray
Bill Simmons
Michael Harrington
Vito Acconci
Richard J. Leon
James Collins
Chris Matthews
Billy Collins
Robert L. Devaney
Compare school
#22
United States Air Force Academy
USAF Academy , CO
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Colorado 2024
Other Rankings
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
86%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1325/31
What is United States Air Force Academy known for?

United States Air Force Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Computer Science
Engineering
Political Science
History
Physics
Mathematics
Law
Economics
Chemistry
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Grady Booch
Eric Hanushek
Gregg Popovich
Mark Welsh
Ronald M. Sega
James B. Smith
Sully Sullenberger
Tim Kane
Jack D. Fischer
John J. Garstka
Stephen Joseph Rossetti
Janine A. Davidson
Compare school
#23
Middlebury College
Middlebury , VT
#20 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
91%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1430/32
Career Outlook for degree at Middlebury College
Cost of Degree: $59,770
Expenses: $19,050
Starting Salary: $71,900
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Middlebury College known for?

Middlebury College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Political Science
Education
Earth Sciences
Economics
Physics
Sociology
History
Mathematics
Chemistry

Most Influential Alumni

Eve Ensler
Dan Schulman
Sheila Miyoshi Jager
Suzanna Sherry
Grace Bates
Stuart B. Schwartz
John Perkins
Lawrence D. Kritzman
Julia Alvarez
Frank Sesno
Henry Schoolcraft
Dan Kahan
Compare school
#24
Bowdoin College
Brunswick , ME
#21 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Bowdoin College
Cost of Degree: $58,322
Expenses: $17,988
Starting Salary: $83,300
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Bowdoin College known for?

Bowdoin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Economics
History
Education
Political Science
Biology
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Sociology
Psychology

Most Influential Alumni

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Nathaniel Hawthorne
William Easterly
Stephen A. Douglas
Robert Peary
Arnold Rampersad
Edwin Hall
Edward J. McCluskey
Oliver Otis Howard
Melville Fuller
Charles Otis Whitman
Alfred Kinsey
Compare school
#25
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley , MA
#22 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
Other Rankings
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
85%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/28
Career Outlook for degree at Mount Holyoke College
Cost of Degree: $56,518
Expenses: $18,580
Starting Salary: $53,900
Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Mount Holyoke College known for?

Mount Holyoke College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Sociology
Education
Mathematics
Political Science
History
Physics
Chemistry
Psychology
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Emily Dickinson
Lucy Stone
Elaine Chao
Jean E. Sammet
Maryanne Trump Barry
Barbara Smith
Ellen Fetter
Virginia Apgar
Suzan-Lori Parks
Joan Jonas
Frances Perkins
Florence Wald
Compare school
#26
Queens College, City University of New York
Queens , NY
#7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2024 #10 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
55%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/24
Career Outlook for degree at Queens College, City University of New York
Cost of Degree: $7,538
Expenses: $21,915
Starting Salary: $52,900
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Queens College, City University of New York known for?

Queens College, City University of New York’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Sociology
Philosophy
Literature
Biology
Psychology
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Social Work

Most Influential Alumni

Stanley Milgram
Robert Moog
Eric Wolf
Jacob M. Appel
Iris Marion Young
Frank Kameny
Geoffrey Hartman
Paul Simon
Michael Savage
Russell Targ
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita
Mark Blaug
Compare school
#27
Colgate University
Hamilton , NY
#23 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in New York 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
90%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/31
Career Outlook for degree at Colgate University
Cost of Degree: $61,966
Expenses: $18,194
Starting Salary: $81,100
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Colgate University known for?

Colgate University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Philosophy
Anthropology
Literature
Political Science
Religious Studies
Economics
Education
Sociology
History
Earth Sciences

Most Influential Alumni

Oswald Avery
Chris Hedges
Robert Audi
Richard B. Spencer
Charles Evans Hughes
Geoffrey R. Stone
Kevin Padian
Neil Shubin
Charles Addams
Charles Doolittle Walcott
Howard Fineman
Daniel N. Robinson
Compare school
#28
Morehouse College
Atlanta , GA
#2 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2000-2020 #24 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
47%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Morehouse College
Cost of Degree: $29,468
Expenses: $20,232
Starting Salary: $49,000
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Morehouse College known for?

Morehouse College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Political Science
Education
Sociology
History
Communications
Chemistry
Mathematics
Literature
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

Martin Luther King Jr.
Julian Bond
David Satcher
Martin Luther King III
Spike Lee
Shaun King
Jeh Johnson
Samuel L. Jackson
Nathan Hare
Martin Luther King Sr.
Calvin O. Butts
Amos N. Wilson
Compare school
#29
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson , NY
#25 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in New York 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
71%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Bard College
Cost of Degree: $57,968
Expenses: $19,660
Starting Salary: $43,700
Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Bard College known for?

Bard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Economics
History
Education
Sociology
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Matt Taibbi
Herb Ritts
Albert Jay Nock
Phyllis Chesler
Anthony Hecht
Chevy Chase
Chris Claremont
Anne Bogart
Donald Ringe
Pierre Joris
JoAnne Akalaitis
Donald Fagen
Compare school
#30
Union College, New York
Schenectady , NY
#6 Best Small Colleges in New York 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
85%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1305/30
Career Outlook for degree at Union College, New York
Cost of Degree: $61,659
Expenses: $17,226
Starting Salary: $80,200
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Union College, New York known for?

Union College, New York’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Physics
History
Mathematics
Literature
Biology
Chemistry
Political Science
Business
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

William H. Seward
George Stibitz
Lewis H. Morgan
Henry Halleck
Phillip Allen Sharp
Gordon Gould
Martin Jay
John Ostrom
Edward Bellamy
Clare W. Graves
Baruch Samuel Blumberg
Robert P. Patterson
Compare school
#31
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont , CA
#16 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #3 Best Small Colleges in California 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #9 Best Private Colleges in California 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
10%
Graduation
94%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1530/34
Career Outlook for degree at Harvey Mudd College
Cost of Degree: $60,703
Expenses: $21,533
Starting Salary: $104,200
Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Harvey Mudd College known for?

Harvey Mudd College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Mathematics
Computer Science
Chemistry
Physics
Engineering
Biology
Sociology
Economics
Political Science
Religious Studies

Most Influential Alumni

Robert Freitas
Donald D. Chamberlin
John Haugeland
Arif Zaman
Stanley G. Love
Patri Friedman
Scott E. Fraser
George Nelson
Sharon R. Long
F. Michael Christ
Scott Pace
Bruce Jay Nelson
Compare school
#32
Denison University
Granville , OH
#2 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Ohio 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2024
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
28%
Graduation
81%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1325/30
Career Outlook for degree at Denison University
Cost of Degree: $57,500
Expenses: $16,400
Starting Salary: $57,600
Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Denison University known for?

Denison University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Sociology
Physics
Law
Philosophy
Literature
Earth Sciences
Chemistry
History
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

William Rehnquist
George Stibitz
Bruce Cumings
William G. Bowen
Richard Brandt
Lawrence W. Sherman
Jack Thompson
William E. Castle
Philip Converse
Thomas Skidmore
Douglas Holtz-Eakin
Maria Tatar
Compare school
#33
Washington and Lee University
Lexington , VA
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1425/33
Career Outlook for degree at Washington and Lee University
Cost of Degree: $59,380
Expenses: $20,920
Starting Salary: $93,300
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Washington and Lee University known for?

Washington and Lee University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Law
Communications
Literature
History
Physics
Political Science
Economics
Biology
Engineering
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

Tom Wolfe
Joseph L. Goldstein
Robert Paxton
Cy Twombly
Jack Goldsmith
Gilbert Shelton
Lewis F. Powell Jr.
Henry L. Roediger III
John J. Crittenden
William Wilson Morgan
J. Bowyer Bell
John Minor Wisdom
Compare school
#34
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont , CA
#4 Best Small Colleges in California 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in California 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
93%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
Career Outlook for degree at Claremont McKenna College
Cost of Degree: $58,111
Expenses: $20,606
Starting Salary: $93,200
Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Claremont McKenna College known for?

Claremont McKenna College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Political Science
Literature
Business
Philosophy
Sociology
Religious Studies
Psychology
Mathematics
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

Tibor Machan
Robin Williams
Craig A. Evans
Don Daglow
Orley Ashenfelter
George S. Day
Ronald J. Pestritto
Philip Clayton
Thomas B. Coburn
Patrick T. Riley
Beck A. Taylor
John King
Compare school
#35
California State University, Northridge
Northridge , CA
#6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #2 Best Online Colleges in California 2024 #5 Best Online Master’s in Human Services #6 Best Online Master's Programs in California 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
54%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/19
Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Northridge
Cost of Degree: $7,043
Expenses: $16,120
Starting Salary: $49,700
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is California State University, Northridge known for?

California State University, Northridge’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Sociology
Anthropology
Communications
Business
Criminal Justice
Engineering
Social Work
History
Earth Sciences
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Robert Hilburn
Jeffrey Beall
Bill Handel
Ana Kasparian
Ana Kasparian
Merrill Singer
Mark Watson
Ralph Larkin
Don Hahn
Robert R. Davila
Carolyn Porco
Rodolfo Acuña
California State University, Northridge’s Online Degrees
BA in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Public Sector Management

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#36
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton , CA
#10 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #4 Best Online Colleges in California 2024 #7 Best Online Master's Programs in California 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
71%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/20
Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Fullerton
Cost of Degree: $6,976
Expenses: $21,039
Starting Salary: $51,800
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is California State University, Fullerton known for?

California State University, Fullerton’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Psychology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computer Science
Sociology
Communications
Engineering
History
Physics
Earth Sciences

Most Influential Alumni

Michael Shermer
Edward Feser
Gwen Stefani
Tim Powers
Tracy Caldwell Dyson
Adam Lambert
James Blaylock
Robert G. Picard
Dana R. Carney
James F. Woodward
Bruce Bowen
Marc Cherry
California State University, Fullerton’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 54
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Humanities and Social Sciences

Required Credits: 51
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Sociology

Required Credits: 51
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#37
Suffolk University
Boston , MA
#7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2024
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
60%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1106/23
Career Outlook for degree at Suffolk University
Cost of Degree: $41,648
Expenses: $22,146
Starting Salary: $59,900
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Suffolk University known for?

Suffolk University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Criminal Justice
Law
Business
Political Science
Communications
Economics
Education
Sociology
Medical
Philosophy

Most Influential Alumni

James Bamford
Richard J. Leon
Robert Caret
James Sokolove
Marty Meehan
Gleason Archer Jr.
Jim McDermott
Patricia Brown
Alexandra Bech Gjørv
Compare school
#38
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles , CA
#8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
52%
Student body
23K
Median SAT/ACT
965/17
Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Los Angeles
Cost of Degree: $6,785
Expenses: $21,219
Starting Salary: $49,900
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is California State University, Los Angeles known for?

California State University, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Sociology
Psychology
Criminal Justice
Political Science
Literature
Mathematics
Social Work
Anthropology
Physics

Most Influential Alumni

Walter E. Williams
Eugene Landy
Richard E. Ladner
Charles Plott
Billie Jean King
Ralph W. Hood
Carolyn See
Octavia E. Butler
Antonia Darder
Leana Wen
Samuel T. Durrance
Lixia Zhang
Compare school
#39
Carleton College
Northfield , MN
#1 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
18%
Graduation
91%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1425/32
Career Outlook for degree at Carleton College
Cost of Degree: $60,225
Expenses: $18,090
Starting Salary: $67,900
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Carleton College known for?

Carleton College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Earth Sciences
Anthropology
Political Science
Literature
Sociology
Psychology
Philosophy
Biology
Chemistry

Most Influential Alumni

Thorstein Veblen
Anthony Downs
Barbara Fredrickson
Walter Alvarez
Donella Meadows
Richard E. Stearns
Lynn Hunt
Dennis Meadows
Mary-Claire King
Mary-Claire King
Jack Lew
Lucian Pye
Compare school
#40
Colorado College
Colorado Springs , CO
#1 Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
86%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Colorado College
Cost of Degree: $62,070
Expenses: $17,492
Starting Salary: $49,900
Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Colorado College known for?

Colorado College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Computer Science
Economics
Earth Sciences
Sociology
Biology
Philosophy
Mathematics
Psychology
Literature
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

Donna Haraway
Rollo May
Terry Winograd
James Heckman
Marcia McNutt
Naomi Oreskes
Jane Lubchenco
George Selgin
William Drea Adams
Susan Stokes
John Novembre
Dee Bradley Baker
Compare school
#41
Kenyon College
Gambier , OH
#3 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Ohio 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
87%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/31
Career Outlook for degree at Kenyon College
Cost of Degree: $63,310
Expenses: $16,960
Starting Salary: $54,500
Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Kenyon College known for?

Kenyon College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Chemistry
Biology
History
Political Science
Economics
Philosophy
Physics
Mathematics
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

William Rehnquist
Carl Djerassi
Robert Lowell
John Sherman
Edwin Stanton
E. L. Doctorow
Leopoldo López
Harvey Lodish
William Bechtel
Anthony Hecht
William H. Gass
Olof Palme
Compare school
#42
University of Richmond
University of Richmond , VA
#2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2024 #7 Best Colleges in Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
89%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/31
Career Outlook for degree at University of Richmond
Cost of Degree: $58,570
Expenses: $16,020
Starting Salary: $78,900
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is University of Richmond known for?

University of Richmond’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Law
History
Philosophy
Physics
Education
Economics
Literature
Business
Mathematics
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Jon Bentley
Spencer C. Tucker
Joseph Berg Esenwein
Greg Morrisett
Georg Iggers
A.E. Dick Howard
Alice T. Schafer
Donald F. Hunt
J. Donald Millar
E. Bruce Heilman
Henry Garrett
Carlo D'Este
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#43
Calvin University
Grand Rapids , MI
#2 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2024 #3 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Michigan 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Michigan 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
77%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/26
Career Outlook for degree at Calvin University
Cost of Degree: $38,240
Expenses: $14,600
Starting Salary: $48,700
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Calvin University known for?

Calvin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Philosophy
Religious Studies
Computer Science
Psychology
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Engineering
Social Work
Literature

Most Influential Alumni

Alvin Plantinga
Cornelius Van Til
Nicholas Wolterstorff
Peter Kreeft
William Frankena
Justin L. Barrett
Keith DeRose
Kunle Olukotun
Herbert Hovenkamp
Derk Pereboom
Richard Gaffin
James Kennedy
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#44
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach , CA
#9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degree #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
Other Rankings
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees
- #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
75%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/23
Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Long Beach
Cost of Degree: $6,846
Expenses: $18,142
Starting Salary: $53,000
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is California State University, Long Beach known for?

California State University, Long Beach’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Earth Sciences
Sociology
Criminal Justice
History
Communications
Literature
Engineering
Political Science
Biology
Business

Most Influential Alumni

The Undertaker
Stan Winston
Howard Goldblatt
Bruce Lipton
Agnes de Mille
Vern Bullough
Richard Delgado
Robin Kelley
George Gervin
Roger Fouts
Mark Norell
Betye Saar
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#45
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck , NJ
#1 Best Small Colleges in New Jersey 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Jersey 2024 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
54%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University
Cost of Degree: $38,074
Expenses: $20,426
Starting Salary: $54,400
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Fairleigh Dickinson University known for?

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Psychology
Biology
Computer Science
Political Science
Business
History
Criminal Justice
Mathematics
Communications
Nursing

Most Influential Alumni

John Gottman
Vito Russo
Sung-Mo Kang
Robert Alfano
Lisa M. Schenck
Allan R. Bomhard
Ibtesam Badhrees
Gerardine DeSanctis
Edward R. Dougherty
John Spencer
Richard Codey
Denise Gottfredson
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#46
Occidental College
Los Angeles , CA
#5 Best Small Colleges in California 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2024
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
38%
Graduation
83%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/30
Career Outlook for degree at Occidental College
Cost of Degree: $58,426
Expenses: $19,452
Starting Salary: $59,400
Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Occidental College known for?

Occidental College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Physics
Chemistry
Literature
Earth Sciences
Economics
Political Science
Biology
History
Mathematics
Psychology

Most Influential Alumni

Robinson Jeffers
Barack Obama
Terry Gilliam
Ben Affleck
J. P. Mallory
Mark Dery
Fred Lawrence Whipple
Lewis Sargentich
Gordon Hanson
Eleanor F. Helin
Eqbal Ahmad
Lindy West
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#47
Willamette University
Salem , OR
#2 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
72%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Willamette University
Cost of Degree: $44,234
Expenses: $15,872
Starting Salary: $57,900
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Willamette University known for?

Willamette University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Law
Political Science
Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Medical
Philosophy
Literature
History

Most Influential Alumni

Dale T. Mortensen
Gerald Pearson
Mark Hatfield
Charles L. McNary
Lisa Murkowski
William S. Laughlin
James Cuno
Peter K. Manning
Harry Stone Mosher
Al Siebert
Christine Sleeter
John Hugh McNary
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#48
Dickinson College
Carlisle , PA
#4 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
82%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Dickinson College
Cost of Degree: $58,708
Expenses: $18,504
Starting Salary: $64,100
Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Dickinson College known for?

Dickinson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Chemistry
Literature
Anthropology
Law
Physics
Biology
Political Science
Earth Sciences
Religious Studies
History

Most Influential Alumni

Spencer Fullerton Baird
John Langdon
Roger B. Taney
Chad Mirkin
Rosie O'Donnell
James Buchanan
Richard Felix Staar
Susan Stewart
Erwin Wickert
John Fletcher Hurst
John Goucher
Alpheus T. Mason
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#49
Hampshire College
Amherst , MA
#2 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
62%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Hampshire College
Cost of Degree: $52,738
Expenses: $16,332
Starting Salary: $39,900
Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Hampshire College known for?

Hampshire College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Literature
Physics
Computer Science
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Mathematics
Communications
History
Philosophy

Most Influential Alumni

Lee Smolin
Gary Marcus
Jon Krakauer
Alan Edelman
George Bonanno
Ken Burns
David Shulkin
Naomi Wallace
Tom Hull
Benjamin Mako Hill
Heather Boushey
Ellis Henican
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#50
Macalester College
Saint Paul , MN
#3 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
31%
Graduation
90%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/31
Career Outlook for degree at Macalester College
Cost of Degree: $60,518
Expenses: $15,839
Starting Salary: $55,800
Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Macalester College known for?

Macalester College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Political Science
Mathematics
Literature
Economics
Sociology
Philosophy
Earth Sciences
Biology
History

Most Influential Alumni

Alexander Wendt
Kofi Annan
Walter Mondale
Alice Echols
Mary Karr
Laurence BonJour
Laurence BonJour
Walter Kirn
Charles Baxter
Tim O'Brien
Douglas Harper
Kate Bowler
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Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Find the Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities in Your Area of Interest

The best liberal arts colleges by discipline

The best liberal arts colleges offer an intimate, but supportive learning environment. Upon graduation, successful students will go into their careers confident in the well-rounded education they’ve received.

If attending a liberal arts school that is close to home is also important to you, check out our Complete List of Colleges and Universities by State.

Photo Credit: Swarthmore College, by Ugen64 at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.

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