Top Ranked Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities - U.S. News University Directory
Liberal arts colleges, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as National Liberal Arts Colleges, confer only undergraduate degrees. At least half of the degrees awarded at these institutions are in a liberal arts field. Search below to find the top-ranked liberal arts colleges and universities in the nation. To locate bachelor degree programs or online master's degrees in liberal arts be sure to search our listings of accredited degree programs.
Get Matched With Top Liberal Arts Colleges and Programs Are you ready to begin a liberal arts degree or certificate program now? U.S News University Directory can match you with liberal arts programs that meet your criteria in a few simple steps. Learn more now.
#100
Madison, NJ
Drew University is a private institution founded in 1867 and located in Madision, NJ. Along with on-campus living, clubs and NCAA Division III Landmark Conference athletics, students can enjoy internships, activities and entertainment in nearby New York City.
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#100
Holland, MI
Hope College, located in Holland, Mich., is a private institution founded in 1866. Students can choose from about 80 academic majors to earn bachelor’s degrees in arts, music, science and science in nursing. Outside the classroom, Hope students can get involved by exploring more than 60 organizations and participating in campus events like comedy shows, dodgeball tournaments, and hoedown dances.
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#100
Huntingdon, PA
Juniata College, located in Huntingdon, Penn., is a private institution founded in 1876. It has a strong reputation for academic excellence, personal attention, and state-of-the-art technological resources. In addition to small classes and a flexible curriculum, the Environmental Studies Field Station provides one of the most distinctive opportunities to study environmental science in the nation.
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#100
Lake Forest, IL
Lake Forest College, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, is a private institution founded in 1857. Lake Forest is one of the nation’s most innovative liberal arts colleges, situated just minutes from Chicago. The research opportunities at Lake Forest – often unavailable to undergraduates at other schools – open the doors to graduate, professional or medical schools or a coveted first research job.
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#100
Decorah, IA
Luther College, located in Decorah, Iowa, is a private institution founded in 1861. Luther is an undergraduate liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran church. One of the outstanding undergraduate institutions in the Midwest, Luther offers more than 60 majors, minors, pre-professional and special programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree.
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#100
Easton, MA
Stonehill College, located in Easton, Mass., is a private institution founded in 1948. Situated on a beautiful, vibrant campus just outside of Boston, Stonehill is in the top 10% of colleges nationwide in enriching educational experiences such as internships, study abroad, and co-curricular programs, according to the National Survey of Student Engagement.
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#100
Sweet Briar, VA
Sweet Briar College, located in Sweet Briar, Virginia, is a private institution founded in 1901. It offers more than 40 programs of liberal arts study. Horseback riding is also an integral part of life at this college for women. Opportunities range from equestrian studies certificate programs to competitions, and the college has a 130-acre riding center and more than 18 miles of trails on campus.
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#108
Hampden-Sydney, VA
Hampden-Sydney College, located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, is a private institution founded in 1775. Challenged by the curriculum and guided by professors, students can get help when they need it because classes are small. The greatest advantage of small-college life is that everyone can be involved. Athletics, debating, publications, fraternity life – are all part of the education process.
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#108
Delaware, OH
Located in Delaware, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts institution. The school was founded in 1842 and resides on 200 suburban acres about 20 minutes north of Columbus. The university is often called OWU and its varsity sports teams – known as the Battling Bishops – compete in the NCAA Division III North Coast Athletic Conference.
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#110
Grand Rapids, MI
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Calvin College is a private liberal arts institution. The school was founded in 1876 and resides on 400 suburban acres just east of beautiful Forest Meadows Park. The Christian Reformed Church named Calvin College after the 16th Century religious reformer John Calvin, and the institution is known as a center of faith-anchored teaching and scholarship to this day.
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#110
Baltimore, MD
Goucher College, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a private institution founded in 1885. It’s a small college with a big view of the world, an intellectual community without borders. Students put their learning into action through collaborative research in the natural sciences, guest residencies of renowned professors, service-learning programs that support local communities and internships.
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#112
Albion, MI
Albion College is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1835. It is located in Albion, Michigan on 574 acres of suburban land. Albion college is committed to high academic performance, combining a liberal arts curriculum with opportunities to specialize in business, education, law, medicine and the sciences.
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#112
Cedar Rapids, IA
Coe College is a private Presbyterian institution founded in 1851 and located in urban Cedar Rapids, IA. Coe emphasizes liberal arts learning from its 50-acre campus and is one of the only schools of its kind to require practical experience (internship, etc.) before graduation.
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#112
Amherst, MA
Hampshire College, located in Amherst, Mass., is a private institution founded in 1965. Hampshire is an innovative liberal arts college with a multidisciplinary approach that develops well-educated lifelong learners with the capacity to go beyond received knowledge and conventional beliefs. Students will pursue self-initiated, individual programs of study negotiated with faculty mentors.
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#112
Hanover, IN
Hanover College, located in Hanover, Indiana, is a private institution founded in 1827. A smaller than average class size ensures that students receive personal attention from professors in a supportive environment. Faculty in 30+ major areas and programs of study offer interactive classes where students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and engage in experiential learning.
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#112
Roanoke, VA
Hollins University, located in Roanoke, Virginia, is a private institution founded in 1842. Hollins is a small university with an undergraduate program for women and an array of graduate programs for men and women. Some of the school’s distinctions include a nationally ranked creative writing program, one of the oldest study abroad programs in the U.S., and extensive opportunities for internships.
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#112
McMinnville, OR
Linfield College, located in McMinnville, Oregon, is a private institution founded in 1858. It has been described as a “hidden jewel” among the nation’s colleges, and is one of the few solely undergraduate institutions in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Students can take a wide variety of general education courses, no matter their major. Alumni include former NY Yankees MVP, Scott Brosius.
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#112
Lynchburg, VA
A private liberal arts institution founded in 1891, Randolph College is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is situated on 100 urban acres near the banks of the James River. Randolph College is known for welcoming students who value originality, independent thought, new ideas, and the exploration of issues that fascinate them.
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#112
Ashland, VA
Randolph-Macon College is a private liberal arts institution that was founded in 1830. It is located in Ashland, Virginia on 115 suburban acres about 90 miles from Washington, D.C. Randolph-Macon College offers a wide variety of majors and minors, and is widely known for its rigorous academic program.
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#112
Loudonville, NY
Located in Loudonville, New York, Siena College is a private liberal arts institution. The school was founded in 1937, and resides on 164 suburban acres not far from the state capital of Albany. Siena College is known for the wealth of opportunities afforded to students, including paid summer research and law externships, community service and advocacy, and popular study abroad programs.
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#121
Clinton, SC
A private liberal arts institution founded in 1880, Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, South Carolina. It is situated on 240 rural acres just a few miles west of beautiful Sumter National forest. Presbyterian College is a NCAA Division I school and its sports teams – known as the Blue Hose – compete in the Big South Conference.
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#121
Elsah, IL
Principia College is a private liberal arts institution that was founded in 1910. It is located in Elsah, Illinois on 2,600 rural acres near the bank of the Mississippi River. Principia College is the only college in the world whose educational mission is to educate students who are Christian Scientists.
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#121
Springfield, OH
Located in Springfield, Ohio, Wittenberg University is a private liberal arts institution. The school was founded in 1845 and resides on 114 urban acres not far from the center of town. Wittenberg University is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and offers students 23 varsity sports, a vibrant study abroad program, and more than 125 student activities.
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#124
Mount Berry, GA
A private liberal arts institution founded in 1902, Berry College is located in Mount Berry, Georgia. The school is situated on 26,000 acres of suburban land, making it the largest contiguous college campus in the world. Berry College is a member of the Annapolis Group of liberal arts colleges, and offers excellent programs in the arts, business, humanities, sciences, social sciences and teacher education.
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#124
Birmingham, AL
A private liberal arts institution founded in 1856, Birmingham-Southern College is located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school is situated on 192 urban acres in the College Hills area of the city. A large majority of Birmingham-Southern College students participate in the service-learning program, for which the institution is widely known.
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