50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students

Badge for BEST IN THE US LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

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.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in 2024

Sort by:
  1. Swarthmore College
  2. Wesleyan University
  3. Reed College
  4. Amherst College
  5. Williams College
  6. Brooklyn College
  7. United States Military Academy
  8. Wellesley College
  9. Oberlin College
  10. Barnard College
  1. Wesleyan University
  2. Amherst College
  3. United States Military Academy
  4. Oberlin College
  5. Williams College
  6. Swarthmore College
  7. Brooklyn College
  8. Smith College
  9. Wellesley College
  10. Bryn Mawr College
  1. San Francisco State University 93%
  2. California State University, Los Angeles 91%
  3. California State University, Northridge 88%
  4. Suffolk University 88%
  5. Fairleigh Dickinson University 85%
  6. San Jose State University 84%
  7. Willamette University 80%
  8. Hampshire College 75%
  9. Calvin University 75%
  10. Morehouse College 65%
  1. California State University, Northridge 28 to 1
  2. California State University, Fullerton 27 to 1
  3. California State University, Los Angeles 25 to 1
  4. San Jose State University 25 to 1
  5. California State University, Long Beach 24 to 1
  6. San Francisco State University 22 to 1
  7. Baruch College 20 to 1
  8. Brooklyn College 17 to 1
  9. Queens College, City University of New York 17 to 1
  10. Hunter College 15 to 1
  1. Kenyon College $63,310
  2. Vassar College $62,870
  3. Reed College $62,730
  4. Colorado College $62,070
  5. Wesleyan University $62,049
  6. Colgate University $61,966
  7. Union College, New York $61,659
  8. Haverford College $61,210
  9. Amherst College $61,150
  10. Wellesley College $60,752
  1. Claremont McKenna College $64,288
  2. Vassar College $61,940
  3. Colgate University $61,594
  4. Wesleyan University $61,449
  5. Williams College $59,728
  6. Occidental College $57,830
  7. Smith College $55,830
  8. Bryn Mawr College $48,328
  9. Willamette University $43,735
  10. Suffolk University $39,450
  1. Macalester College
  2. Hampshire College
  3. Dickinson College
  4. Willamette University
  5. Occidental College
  6. Fairleigh Dickinson University
  7. California State University, Long Beach
  8. Calvin University
  9. University of Richmond
  10. Kenyon College
  1. Calvin University
  2. Suffolk University
  3. Willamette University
  4. Macalester College
  5. Fairleigh Dickinson University
  6. Claremont McKenna College
  7. California State University, Long Beach
  8. Harvey Mudd College
  9. Dickinson College
  10. Denison University
  1. Pomona College 7%
  2. Swarthmore College 8%
  3. United States Naval Academy 8%
  4. Amherst College 9%
  5. Williams College 9%
  6. Bowdoin College 9%
  7. Harvey Mudd College 10%
  8. Claremont McKenna College 11%
  9. Barnard College 11%
  10. United States Military Academy 11%
  1. United States Air Force Academy 6 to 1
  2. Pomona College 6 to 1
  3. Williams College 6 to 1
  4. Amherst College 7 to 1
  5. Swarthmore College 7 to 1
  6. Smith College 7 to 1
  7. Wellesley College 7 to 1
  8. United States Military Academy 7 to 1
  9. Bowdoin College 8 to 1
  10. Carleton College 8 to 1
  1. California State University, Fullerton $5,742
  2. California State University, Long Beach $5,742
  3. San Francisco State University $5,742
  4. California State University, Los Angeles $5,742
  5. San Jose State University $5,742
  6. California State University, Northridge $5,742
  7. Hunter College $6,930
  8. Baruch College $6,930
  9. Brooklyn College $6,930
  10. Queens College, City University of New York $6,930
  1. Dickinson College $3,750
  2. California State University, Fullerton $7,176
  3. California State University, Long Beach $7,176
  4. San Francisco State University $7,176
  5. California State University, Los Angeles $7,176
  6. San Jose State University $7,176
  7. California State University, Northridge $7,176
  8. Fairleigh Dickinson University $9,780
  9. Hunter College $11,090
  10. 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.

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.

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.

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50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities in the US

  1. #1

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    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: $59,328
    Expenses: $20,686
    Starting Salary: $70,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #2

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $64,022
    Expenses: $20,850
    Starting Salary: $63,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    44%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $64,760
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #4

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    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: $64,100
    Expenses: $19,550
    Starting Salary: $83,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #5

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $61,770
    Expenses: $19,230
    Starting Salary: $89,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #6

    Brooklyn College

    Brooklyn , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    51%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    21K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Brooklyn College

    Cost of Degree: $7,440
    Starting Salary: $48,800
  7. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1325/30

  8. #8

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $61,920
    Expenses: $21,130
    Starting Salary: $71,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #9

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    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: $62,024
    Expenses: $22,206
    Starting Salary: $45,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    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: $62,525
    Expenses: $21,884
    Starting Salary: $69,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #12

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/19

    Career Outlook for degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,524
    Expenses: $21,601
    Starting Salary: $54,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #13

    Hunter College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1255/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Hunter College

    Cost of Degree: $7,382
    Expenses: $18,076
    Starting Salary: $51,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #14

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $58,768
    Expenses: $23,366
    Starting Salary: $51,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #15

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    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: $64,800
    Expenses: $18,810
    Starting Salary: $61,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. #16

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    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: $63,348
    Expenses: $21,120
    Starting Salary: $75,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/22

    Career Outlook for degree at San Jose State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,899
    Expenses: $22,951
    Starting Salary: $63,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. #18

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $59,238
    Expenses: $21,958
    Starting Salary: $77,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. #19

    Baruch College

    New York , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    51%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1265/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Baruch College

    Cost of Degree: $7,464
    Expenses: $25,620
    Starting Salary: $63,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  19. #20

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $59,330
    Expenses: $20,050
    Starting Salary: $61,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. #23

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $62,460
    Expenses: $19,800
    Starting Salary: $71,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. #24

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bowdoin College

    Cost of Degree: $61,528
    Expenses: $18,862
    Starting Salary: $83,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  22. #25

    Mount Holyoke College

    South Hadley , MA
    Other Rankings

    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: $58,498
    Expenses: $19,180
    Starting Salary: $53,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  23. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Queens College, City University of New York

    Cost of Degree: $7,538
    Expenses: $22,814
    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:

    Most Influential Alumni

  24. #27

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    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: $64,290
    Expenses: $19,360
    Starting Salary: $81,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. #29

    Bard College

    Annandale-On-Hudson , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bard College

    Cost of Degree: $60,622
    Expenses: $20,080
    Starting Salary: $43,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  26. #30

    Union College, New York

    Schenectady , NY

    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: $63,954
    Expenses: $17,766
    Starting Salary: $80,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  27. #32

    Denison University

    Granville , OH

    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: $60,000
    Expenses: $16,900
    Starting Salary: $57,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  28. #34

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont , CA
    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: $60,715
    Expenses: $21,412
    Starting Salary: $93,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  29. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1005/19

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Northridge

    Cost of Degree: $7,069
    Expenses: $16,638
    Starting Salary: $49,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  30. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    47K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/20

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Fullerton

    Cost of Degree: $7,007
    Expenses: $20,824
    Starting Salary: $51,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  31. #37

    Suffolk University

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1106/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Suffolk University

    Cost of Degree: $43,332
    Expenses: $22,132
    Starting Salary: $59,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  32. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    965/17

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $6,805
    Expenses: $23,884
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  33. #39

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN
    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: $62,634
    Expenses: $18,716
    Starting Salary: $67,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  34. #40

    Colorado College

    Colorado Springs , CO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado College

    Cost of Degree: $65,028
    Expenses: $18,200
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  35. #41

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH
    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: $66,490
    Expenses: $17,310
    Starting Salary: $54,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  36. #42

    University of Richmond

    University of Richmond , VA
    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: $60,330
    Expenses: $17,000
    Starting Salary: $78,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  37. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    47%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/23

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Long Beach

    Cost of Degree: $6,884
    Expenses: $19,298
    Starting Salary: $53,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  38. #46

    Occidental College

    Los Angeles , CA

    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: $60,566
    Expenses: $20,070
    Starting Salary: $59,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  39. Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Willamette University

    Cost of Degree: $45,260
    Expenses: $16,852
    Starting Salary: $57,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  40. #48

    Dickinson College

    Carlisle , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Dickinson College

    Cost of Degree: $61,326
    Expenses: $19,190
    Starting Salary: $64,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  41. #49

    Hampshire College

    Amherst , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hampshire College

    Cost of Degree: $54,452
    Expenses: $16,922
    Starting Salary: $39,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  42. #50

    Macalester College

    Saint Paul , MN
    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: $62,500
    Expenses: $16,400
    Starting Salary: $55,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

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The best liberal arts colleges by discipline

Earn a Degree from a Liberal Arts College That is Close to Home

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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