2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Best Liberal Arts Colleges – Plains (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD)

About

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.

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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