2026 College Rankings

Best Liberal Arts Colleges

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges

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Liberal arts colleges are the epitome of a “well-rounded” education. At these schools, you’re not just a number, you’re part of a close-knit community that values both individuality and collaboration. Students are encouraged to explore a broad range of disciplines, from literature and the sciences to business and the arts, building the skills to think critically. With smaller class sizes and a vibrant campus atmosphere, the best liberal arts colleges offer a holistic, people-centered approach to education.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Swarthmore College	1623	7.46	1,490 – 1,560	17930	56211	#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Swarthmore College was one of the first coeducational colleges in the country. It is associated with the Tri-College Consortium and the Quaker Consortium, which means students can take classes at the University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford, in addition to Swarthmore....Read more Undergraduates 1,623 Acceptance Rate 7.5% SAT Score 1,490 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $17,930 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,211
2	Pomona College	1766	7.09	1,490 – 1,560	17423	60850	#2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Pomona College Claremont, CA Pomona College is a private, liberal arts college offering 39 major programs. Three commonly chosen majors include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, and Neuroscience. The school was created with a “college of the New England type” in mind. Their mascot is Cecil the Sagehen. Undergraduates 1,766 Acceptance Rate 7.1% SAT Score 1,490 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $17,423 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,850
3	Bowdoin College	1881	7.13	1,470 – 1,550	23110	61692	#3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Bowdoin College is an extremely selective private liberal arts school. The college offers more than 40 majors, including joint Engineering programs with Columbia, Dartmouth, Caltech, and the University of Maine....Read more Undergraduates 1,881 Acceptance Rate 7.1% SAT Score 1,470 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $23,110 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,692
4	Williams College	2101	8.25	1,500 – 1,560	16988	71754	#4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Williams College Williamstown, MA Although it was originally founded as a men’s college in 1793, Williams College is composed of 48% men and 51% women today. It was created out of the funds of Ephraim Williams, who died in the French and Indian War. The college received 15,000 applications during the last admissions cycle and accepted 1,270. Undergraduates 2,101 Acceptance Rate 8.3% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $16,988 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,754
5	Amherst College	1914	9.01	1,480 – 1,570	17965	62537	#5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Amherst College Amherst, MA Amherst College is an extremely selective school. A majority of their first-year students come from NY. The third oldest institution of higher education in the state, Amherst was originally a men’s college, becoming coeducational in 1975....Read more Undergraduates 1,914 Acceptance Rate 9.0% SAT Score 1,480 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $17,965 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,537
6	Hillsdale College	1649	20.72	1,350 – 1,480	26030	63721	#6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI Hillsdale College’s motto is “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” or “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” The school has a 97% first year retention rate and an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. All students have to take courses on the “Great Books” and the United States Constitution. 78% will graduate within 4 years. Undergraduates 1,649 Acceptance Rate 20.7% SAT Score 1,350 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $26,030 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
7	Washington and Lee University	1886	13.97	1,450 – 1,530	24667	76516	#7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA Originally known as the Augusta Academy and established in 1749, it would later be named after George Washington and Robert E. Lee, the latter of which was the president of the school for five years....Read more Undergraduates 1,886 Acceptance Rate 14.0% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $24,667 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,516
8	Wellesley College	2407	14.05	1,460 – 1,560	21501	65961	#8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Wellesley College Wellesley, MA Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college going back to 1870. It’s the largest women’s college, and it has seen famous alumni including Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and Katharine Lee Bates. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics is the most commonly chosen area of study. Undergraduates 2,407 Acceptance Rate 14.1% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $21,501 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,961
9	Harvey Mudd College	921	12.66	1,500 – 1,580	42720	115107	#9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA Harvey Mudd College only offers programs related to Science and Engineering. Part of the Claremont Colleges, their colors are black and gold. The men’s teams are known as the Stags, and the women are known as the Athenas. It has a 96% first year retention rate and 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 921 Acceptance Rate 12.7% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $42,720 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $115,107
10	Barnard College	3269	7.96	1,450 – 1,540	27738	60411	#10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Barnard College New York, NY Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located on the banks of the Hudson River. It was founded in response to Columbia University not admitting women. Today, it’s part of the Seven Sisters, an association of women’s liberal arts colleges. Their motto is "Following the Way of Reason” in Greek. Undergraduates 3,269 Acceptance Rate 8.0% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $27,738 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,411
11	Soka University of America	476	69.52	1,220 – 1,460	18807	42696	#11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA The Soka University of America, a fairly new school (founded in 2001), focuses on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity. It was created by the founder of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, Daisaku Ikeda. Students enjoy a cozy 7 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 476 Acceptance Rate 69.5% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $18,807 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,696
12	Claremont McKenna College	1390	9.59	1,470 – 1,560	29978	87603	#12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA Claremont McKenna College, a private liberal arts school, was founded as a men’s college in 1946. It became co-educational in 1976. The most commonly chosen major is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. With an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, 98% of students will stay after their freshman year. Undergraduates 1,390 Acceptance Rate 9.6% SAT Score 1,470 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $29,978 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,603
13	United States Naval Academy	4465	9.36	1,200 – 1,420	0	63721	#13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD A public undergraduate school, the United States Naval Academy’s motto, in Latin, is “Ex Scientia Tridens,” or “From Knowledge, Seapower.” It was established in 1845 and saw disruption and riots during the Civil War that almost caused the government to move the school. Today, it has a 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 4,465 Acceptance Rate 9.4% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
14	Hamilton College	2037	13.62	1,460 – 1,550	26021	60082	#14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Hamilton College Clinton, NY With nearly 60 areas of study, a majority of Hamilton College students opt to major in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. Their motto is in Ancient Greek: Γνῶθι Σεαυτόν, which translates to “Know Thyself.” The school has been coeducational since 1978 after merging with its sister school, Kirkland College. Undergraduates 2,037 Acceptance Rate 13.6% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $26,021 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,082
15	Carleton College	2128	20.41	1,450 – 1,560	29434	53989	#15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Carleton College Northfield, MN Part of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the most popular sports at Carleton College are Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Football, and Swimming and Diving (combined). They’re known as the Knights and wear blue and maize. Computer Science is a commonly chosen undergraduate major. Undergraduates 2,128 Acceptance Rate 20.4% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $29,434 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,989
16	Smith College	2549	21	1,420 – 1,530	27823	45731	#16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Smith College Northampton, MA Located just west of the Connecticut River, Smith College is among the largest women’s colleges in the US. It doesn’t cost anything to apply as an undergraduate. Students enjoy a cozy 7 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 94% first year retention rate. Notable alumni include Julia Child, Gloria Steinman, and Sylvia Plath. Undergraduates 2,549 Acceptance Rate 21.0% SAT Score 1,420 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $27,823 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,731
17	Davidson College	1869	13.37	1,400 – 1,520	26510	62866	#17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Davidson College Davidson, NC Davidson College was founded in 1837 and started trying to reduce the cost of higher education for students by the 1850’s. Today, the school meets students’ financial needs through grants, employment, and more. 65% of students receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 1,869 Acceptance Rate 13.4% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $26,510 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,866
18	Vassar College	2462	18.57	1,460 – 1,550	29733	49177	#18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Vassar College offers 50 majors and programs, with the most popular being Economics, General. A few former students of Vassar include Anne Hathaway, Jane Fonda, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Anthony Bourdain. Opened in 1861, it was the second institution in the United States that granted degrees to women. Undergraduates 2,462 Acceptance Rate 18.6% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,733 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,177
19	Wesleyan University	3805	16.49	1,330 – 1,510	20463	60385	#19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Wesleyan University Middletown, CT Wesleyan University’s most popular major is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. The school, located on the bends of the Connecticut River, was founded as a men’s college and became fully coeducational in 1970. Their athletes, known as the Cardinals, appropriately wear cardinal and black. Undergraduates 3,805 Acceptance Rate 16.5% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $20,463 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,385
20	Middlebury College	2760	10.75	1,460 – 1,550	22912	57291	#20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Middlebury College Middlebury, VT The first operating higher education institution in Vermont was Middlebury College, founded in 1800. It’s also the first in the United States to award a bachelor’s degree to an African American (in 1823). Although it was originally all-male, the school started admitting women in 1883. Undergraduates 2,760 Acceptance Rate 10.8% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $22,912 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,291
21	Bates College	1760	13.32	1,380 – 1,510	26658	59202	#21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Bates College Lewiston, ME Bates College, the first coeducational college in New England, was founded in 1855. It also admitted minority students before the Emancipation Proclamation. An extremely selective school, Bates has a 91% first year retention rate, 88% four-year graduation rate, and a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 1,760 Acceptance Rate 13.3% SAT Score 1,380 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $26,658 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,202
22	Colgate University	3193	13.88	1,450 – 1,530	26954	64949	#22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Colgate University Hamilton, NY Colgate University is known as a “Hidden Ivy” and a “Little Ivy.” It regularly makes lists naming it one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. Most Colgate students study as undergraduates, but the school also offers master’s degrees in Teaching and Religious Studies. Maroon and white are the official colors. Undergraduates 3,193 Acceptance Rate 13.9% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $26,954 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,949
23	Grinnell College	1788	14.51	1,410 – 1,530	33446	49004	#23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Grinnell College Grinnell, IA The most popular majors at Grinnell College include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General. Part of the Midwest Conference and NCAA Division III with football, the Pioneers, wearing scarlet and black, have a wide variety of sports to choose from, such as Football,......Read more Undergraduates 1,788 Acceptance Rate 14.5% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $33,446 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,004
24	Haverford College	1431	12.37	1,460 – 1,550	22828	53353	#24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Haverford College Haverford, PA Haverford College is a liberal arts school founded in 1833 by the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. It’s part of the Tri-College Consortium, so students can attend classes at nearby schools: Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore....Read more Undergraduates 1,431 Acceptance Rate 12.4% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $22,828 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,353
25	University of Richmond	3055	22.2	1,440 – 1,540	35263	67927	#25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA “Verbum Vitae et Lumen Scientiae” or “Word of life and light of knowledge” is the University of Richmond’s motto. 23% of accepted students go on to attend in the fall. A NCAA Division I-FCS school, 405 athletes are cheered on by WebstUR the Spider. Undergraduates 3,055 Acceptance Rate 22.2% SAT Score 1,440 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $35,263 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,927