Best Liberal Arts Schools
How are the Top Liberal Arts Programs Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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With its liberal arts focus, Harvard provides the type of education that helps you to become a better thinker. You probably won't gain as much concrete knowledge here as you would at a non-liberal arts college, but I think this has more to do with...
” – Cindy
A top-ranked medical program and business school crown Dartmouth College’s liberal arts education. This Ivy League school, the second youngest but also the smallest, is located in Hanover, NH, where it’s easily the main attraction in town.
The...
I am continually impressed by the quality of the teaching at Dartmouth. Since it is a college, faculty members really do focus on undergraduates as opposed to solely pursuing their research. However, that is not to say that there are no research...
” – Jessica
Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League institution in Philadelphia. UPenn hosts 12 schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 90 academic fields of study. Additionally, UPenn’s Gothic-style...
I think it's the perfect school for me.
” – Katherine from Murrieta, CA
At Johns Hopkins University, you’ll have the relationships and resources to explore what you care about most—and then dig deeper to make a difference in the world around you. Hopkins combines the resources of the first and top-funded research...
All of the classes are full of material and even the intro classes go above and beyond what one would have learned in high school, and even in an AP class.
” – Alyssa from Grand Blanc, MI
Pitzer College is a 4-year liberal arts college in southern California and a member of the Claremont Colleges. Pitzer offers bachelor’s degrees in over 40 academic majors including the first Secular Studies program in the nation. To provide a...
Pitzer College as well as the entire Claremont Colleges offers many opportunities and resources including the Claremont Consortium, the Keck Joint Science Center, Student Health Services and others. Students also have the opportunity to create their...
” – Diamond from Los Angeles, CA
Founded in 1855 by a group of abolitionists, Bates College is a liberal arts college in southern Maine with a focus on social justice and egalitarianism. Bates confers bachelor’s degrees in 35 academic majors and students have the option to pursue...
What captured me was the modest intelligence of the students. Everyone here not only passionately wants to be here, but every student sincerely deserves to be here. The student body, friendly and easy-going, is a part of the aura of subdued learning...
” – Kiera from Lewiston, ME
Carnegie Mellon University stands among the world's most renowned educational institutions, and we tap into our diverse community and world-leading digital technologies across business, engineering, the sciences, the humanities and the arts to chart...
The amount of things you learn throughout your classes is amazing to me. Just this past 2 weeks, I've learned so many things about programming that it has made a noticeable change in how I approach problems.
” – Mathew from Jensen Beach, FL
Originally founded in 1861 as a school for women, Vassar College is a 4-year coeducational liberal arts college in southern New York State. Vassar grants bachelor’s degrees in 51 academic majors and was one of the first schools in the United States...
Vassar's zero core curriculum approach to academics allows any student to explore their academic interests to the fullest degree. The professors are wonderful and the majority have the highest degree possible in their field. They are open to...
” – Erin from Boston, MA
The University of California in Los Angeles, better known as UCLA, is one of 10 campuses in the UC system. With 109 academic departments and more than 125 majors offered, as well as an average of one billion dollars funded for research every year and...
The amount of knowledge you will gain during your first year at UCLA will be more valuable than any previous experiences. First, there is the academic aspect. Essentially, the material being taught in college is the same for any school, so self...
” – Joanna from Carson City, NV
Tulane University is private nstitution located in New Orleans, Louisiana. As one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, TU is considered a top research university. The campus features five undergraduate schools that provide...
In my first year at Tulane, I learned so much; not only in the classroom, but outside of it as well. At a school where almost 70% of the students are from outside of Louisiana, I had no problem meeting many diverse people, (culturally and...
” – Scott from Stillwater, MN
Duke University is a selective, private research university that calls Durham, NC, home. Founded originally as Trinity College in 1838, it was renamed by tobacco tycoon James Buchanan Duke in 1924 and became the “Gothic Wonderland” campus it is today...
In high school, I found that I could ace any class with a study cram the night before any test. By doing this, I never truly learned anything. Sure, I remembered enough for the tests and exams, but if someone were to quiz me a week later, I would...
” – Sophomore from Florida
Welcome to the Block Plan, where you’ll take one class at a time for 3 ½ weeks. Prepare to dive into your current passion in small discussion-based classes, where professors will know your name, encourage you to grow, and respect your stride. Master...
Colorado College is one of four colleges within the U.S. that teaches on the block plan. This innovative schedule means that students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks, in which time frame they gain four credit hours. The beauty...
” – Kirstie from El Paso, TX
Founded by the merger of Western Reserve University and Case School of Applied Science, Case Western Reserve University is a 4-year private research institution in Cleveland. Case Western features nine schools conferring bachelor’s degrees in 95...
The classes are very challenging and you definitely have to earn your grade, but when you look back at all you've learned, its worth it!
” – Meaghan from Harrah, OK
University of California in Santa Barbara is a leading research institution in the city and state of the same name. UCSB is a member of the Association of American Universities, home to the National Center for Ecological Analysis, as well as an...
- The quarter system allows you to take a wide variety of classes to figure out what you're interested in by experiencing different subjects in a short period of time.
- The environment, campus groups, and activities allow you to learn more about...
Founded in 1960, the University of California of San Diego is a research institution located in La Jolla, CA. The 1,200 coastal woodland campus along the Pacific Ocean is home to six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, 5 graduate and...
Teachers can be great, but you must go to class to actually learn. I never thought I'd be skipping classes, but it happens and I learned the hard way that this is NOT smart. Discussions with TAs can be incredibly helpful as well. I had a math class...
” – Current Student from San Diego Area
New York University, more commonly referred to as NYU, is a private university with campuses and academic centers all over the world, including Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, Africa, and Europe. As one of the largest private universities in the US, it’s...
The learning portion is inevitable, isn’t it? NYU has various schools underneath its purple umbrella – College of Arts and Science, Tisch School of the Arts, Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture/Education/Human Development, College...
” – Lana from Tenafly, NJ
Founded in 1865, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a school of engineering and technology in central Massachusetts. WPI grants bachelor’s degrees in 32 technical and scientific fields of study. In addition, every academic program is centered around...
Classes are fast paced and can be difficult but there are many resources to help you. Professors are generally willing to help, as are other students. The Math and Science Help Center (MASH) is extremely useful for early math and science classes. An...
” – Alana from Taunton, MA
One of two polytechnics in the CSU System, the California Polytechnic State University, more commonly known as Cal Poly, has a competitive admissions process for its programs, which focus in arts, technology, and sciences. The university is located...
I LOVE CAL POLY!! The great thing about this school is starting from freshmen year you jump right into your Major courses instead of having to go through only GE's for your first year or two. Here, you start learning about your interest in the first...
” – Ashley from Sun City, CA
A Public Ivy and space-grant institution, the University of Texas at Austin is one of nine academic universities in the UT system, and also the first. Founded in 1883 and home to 18 schools and colleges, it is one of the largest schools in the US but...
I know you are hearing all about how big UT is and how big the classes are and how big campus is. All this might be a little intimidating and even scary for you! But no worries! There will certainly be one or two classes that you will have that are...
” – Lila from Houston, TX
Founded in 1917 by the Dominican Friars, Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican liberal arts institution located in the city of the same name in Rhode Island. PC offers 52 major fields of study and was the first college in the nation to offer a...
The overall physical appearance of the school is lovely. The school body seems friendly, the guide on my visit seemed very knowledgable. The atmosphere seems to have an open, fun social setting and good school spirit.
” – Emily from Morris Plains, NJ