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.

Explore the Best Liberal Arts Programs with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

Saint Mary's College of California

Founded by the local archbishop, Saint Mary’s College of California is a Catholic liberal arts college in the Bay Area administered by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Saint Mary’s is home to schools of Economics, Liberal Arts, and Science...

“…

The Seminar Program is eye-opening and challenging. It pushes you to develop your own ideas and beliefs and challenge other students to do the same. The professors know you by name and have abundant office hours if you need help in class or just need...

” – Julianne from Yakima, WA
Lipscomb University

Affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Lipscomb University is a Christian liberal arts institution in Nashville. Lipscomb confers undergraduate degrees in 176 academic areas of study. As a Christian university, Lipscomb holds chapel services twice...

“…

I am learning about so many things I didn't know existed. I am learning about the Babylonian number system, Mayan number system, and the eight-fold path from the Buddhist religion.

” – Erica from LA Vergne, TN
Daemen University

Founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Daemen College is a 4-year, now nonsectarian, private school in the Buffalo-Niagara region of New York State. Daemen grants undergraduate degrees in 23 academic majors and all...

“…

All of the teachers I have had so far are very knowledgeable and helpful

” – Thomas from Buffalo, NY
Saint Francis University

Founded in 1847, Saint Francis University is a Catholic liberal arts institution in western Pennsylvania and is the oldest Franciscan Catholic university in the United States. Saint Francis confers undergraduate degrees in 50+ academic fields of...

“…

Saint Francis University has been great in transitioning me from living at home, to living away from family members. The environment is very welcoming and all of the faculty and staff are more than willing to help any student in need. Saint Francis...

” – Jordan from Pittsburgh, PA
Taylor University

Founded in 1846, Taylor University is a private institution and one of the oldest evangelical Christian colleges in the nation. The school is based in Upland, Indiana. All students, staff, and faculty are required to resist tobacco, alcohol, and drug...

“…

Taylor is a great place to learn. Taylor makes sure you have knowledge in a broad spectrum of subjects while still focusing on your own major. Professors are great. Most of them are very willing to help you outside of class and help you do well. I...

” – Heidi from Upland, IN
The Master's University and Seminary

The Master’s University is a conservative, Christian, liberal arts university located in Santa Clarita, CA. The tree-filled, 95-acre campus offers 14 undergraduate majors and 4 graduate degrees, as well as teaching credentials and dual-enrollment...

“…

The Master's College has already taught me so much and I have not started my semester. Their teachings have reached me through their networking of other brothers and sisters in Christ and that is just a taste of what would happen once I finally start...

” – Vincent from Long Beach, CA
College placeholder image

Established in 1872, Saint Peter’s University is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation. Saint Peter’s is based in Jersey City, NJ, with a second location called Englewood Cliffs, and is home to four colleges and schools conferring undergraduate...

“…

Saint Peters offers a wide range of courses that not only satisfy students academically, but provides them with the knowledge and understanding that you will remember for years to come. As a freshman I came in not feeling overwhelmed and was able to...

” – Erica from Newark, NJ
Augsburg University

Surrounding the city’s oldest parks in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, Augsburg University is a test-optional, 4-year institution comprised of 18 main buildings, 3 dining venues, and more than 50 liberal arts academic programs to choose from...

“…

The professors are great! They go beyond what is taught in the textbook.

” – Nou from Coon Rapids, MN
Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University is a private, 4-year institution established in Storm Lake, Iowa. The college offers over 50 academic programs and 90 majors and minors, with primary focus given to their Science, Education, and Business programs. As the...

“…

I am planning on majoring in biology. If science or the medical field is what you are looking at, BVU is the place to go. It has one of the best science departments in Iowa and has a very cool medical internship program at the local hospital.

” – Beth from Mapleton, IA
Eastern University

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 5,700 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university’s main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with...

“…

Eastern has really taught me a lot not just academically, but also spiritually and personally. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is just how connected everything is. I've learned things in TaeKwon-Do that applied to Psychology that then applied...

” – Angelique
University of Hartford

Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, UHart is a four-year private nonprofit university that has been guiding the purpose and passion of undergraduate and graduate students for over six decades. Centrally located alongside Connecticut’s...

“…

The first year at any college, you will have to take classes outside of your major. Hartford has All University Curriculum classes (normally referred to as Gen-Eds). The classes fall under the categories of Arts, Culture, Technology and Science....

” – Sarah R.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Founded two years before Tennessee achieved statehood in 1794, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the flagship campus of the UT system and the first public university west of the Appalachian Divide. UT is home to nine colleges and schools...

“…

I have completed a total of 34 hours at the UT campus. So far, I have learned a lot from my professors. While some classes are huge (200+), others allow for one-on-one time with other students and faculty. Even in the 200+ classes, discussion...

” – Brittany from Morristown, TN
Towson University

Located in Towson, MD, a suburb of Baltimore, Towson University is a diverse and inclusive campus community where your interests and talents have the platform to shine.



At Towson U, you get top ranked programs, small classes, and professors who will...

“…

I recently transferred from a 4 year public college closer to my home, to Towson University mainly because of their Business Program. At Towson, they were very professional and the students and teachers knew fully what they were talking about...

” – Felicia from Ridgefield Park, NJ
University of Rhode Island

 

The University of Rhode Island is the state's largest university as well as the land- and sea- grant institution. The main campus is based in Kingston, which, as of 2019, FORBES has named a Best Value College, and spans 1,200 acres which feature...

“…

The classes I have taken at URI have all helped me learn a lot. They are not time-filler classes that are there just for you to get a grade. You will come out of every class being much more educated on that topic.

” – Paige from Nashua, NH
University of Mary Washington

The University of Mary Washington is a 4-year liberal arts college in northern Virginia. UMW is home to colleges of Arts & Sciences, Education, and Business conferring undergraduate degrees in over 60 fields of study. To provide a transition to...

“…

Students at the University of Mary Washington definitely learn a lot. There are about 4,000 students total in the entire school, so over 900 students in each graduating class. It is so beneficial going to a school that is smaller because classes are...

” – Breon from Stafford, VA
St. John's University-New York

The St. John’s 150-year legacy is Catholic, Vincentian, metropolitan, and global. Graduates are not only employable, but, when they leave campus, they take with them all of the hope, compassion, awareness, and courage that can only come from knowing...

“…

Thanks to the professors, St. John's is a school that helps students for their particular career field. Many of the teachers have had experience in your field, so they are willing to give you tips that go a long way. This college is not for the...

” – MusicStudent
Oregon State University

Oregon State University is an international public institution located in Corvallis, OR. Originally Corvallis Academy, 150 years and more than 200 degree offerings later, OSU is one of only three universities in the US to have a land-, sea-, space-...

“…

only school to offer ecologocal engineering at an undergraduate level

” – James from Cedar Knolls, NJ
Ball State University

Originally founded as a teacher’s college, Ball State University is a public institution in eastern Indiana. Ball State is home to seven colleges conferring undergraduate degrees in more than 120 academic majors. Throughout the year, Ball State...

“…

The staff and employees of the campus are both kind and knowledgeable of their areas. The presentations I have seen from professors during orientation demonstrates how varied they are and creative in their ways of instruction.

” – Jared from Muncie, IN
University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois is a top-ranked school with a rich legacy of innovation and impact. Founded in 1867 and located in central Illinois, this public institution is home to 11 academic communities and over 150 majors. Its flexible programs and...

“…

The professors are great! They are very accommodating and always willing to help. They are also very educated on the topics they teach making learning more interesting.

” – Samantha from Palatine, IL
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

With campus along the banks of the Chippewa River, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a 4-year public university and a regional UW campus in northwest Wisconsin. UWEC is home to colleges of Business, Education, Arts & Sciences, and Nursing...

“…

For a smaller university, UWEC offers a really wide range of classes. You can study anatomy, geology, and modern dance all in one day if you want. Professors are very passionate and really go out of their way to make sure students understand...

” – Ally from Madison, WI