Liberal Arts and Sciences colleges teach anything from English to Chemistry, Philosophy to Mathematics. They tend to focus on a broader education rather than a hyper-focused trade. Many of the best colleges in the country are Liberal Arts and Sciences institutes, as shown by the exemplary schools on this list.
Here are the Top 25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States for 2017!
25. Bates College
Flickr user Jay Collier
Location: Lewiston, ME
Student Enrollment: 1,773
College Type: Private, not-for-profit, 4 year or above
Bates’ school motto of “Amore Ac Studio” translates to mean “With Ardor and Devotion.” The passion carries over to the academics, since incoming freshmen tend to score on average between a 28 and 32 on the ACT, and between a 1,280 and 1,430 on the SAT. Their mascot is a bobcat.
24. Barnard College
Flickr user Barnard College
Location: New York City, NY
Student Enrollment: 2,573
College Type: Private, not-for-profit, 4 year or above
This women’s college was founded in 1889 in response to Columbia University’s refusal to admit female students. This makes it not only one of the oldest all-women colleges in the country but in the world. Their school colors are blue and white, and their mascot is Millie the Dancing Bear.
Learn more about Barnard College
23. Grinnell College
Flickr user Ron Cogswell
Location: Grinnell, IA
Student Enrollment: 1,734
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
Grinnell is a highly regarded liberal arts college located between Iowa City and Des Moines. Psychology, Biology, History, Economics, English, and Political Science are all popular majors. Students are encouraged to be politically and socially aware with 60% of undergraduate students participating in off-campus programs.
Learn more about Grinnell College
22. Soka University of America
Flickr user Gabby Gonzalez
Location: Aliso Viejo
Student Enrollment: 417
College Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Soka University has an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, and offers a Bachelors in Liberal Arts. Although there is only one degree, there are four areas of emphasis that students can choose from: Environmental Studies, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Studies, and International Studies.
Learn more about Soka University of America
21. Colgate University
Flickr user Jenni Konrad
Location: Hamilton, NY
Student Enrollment: 2,888
College Type: Private, not-for-profit, 4 year or above
The average incoming freshmen at Colgate scores between a 29 and 33 on the ACT and between 1,292 and 1,455. The 5 most popular majors on campus include: Economics, History, Political Science and Government, Neuroscience, and English Language and Literature.
Learn more about Colgate University
20. Colby College
Flickr user Roman Boed
Location: Waterville, ME
Student Enrollment: 1,847
College Type: Private, not-for-profit, 4 year or above
Incoming freshmen at this college score on average between a 29 and 33 on the ACT and between a 1,282 and 1,444 on the SAT. Nearly 7,600 applications are sent into this school, and with an acceptance rate of 23%, only about 1,750 of those are accepted. The school has a 10:1 student-faculty ratio.
Learn more about Colby College
19. Bowdoin College
Flickr user Paul VanDerWerf
Location: Brunswick, ME
Student Enrollment: 1,805
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
This Liberal Arts college is well known for their Political Science and Government programs, and they are the most common majors on their campus. It has a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and a 98% first-year retention rate. Notable alumni include: Reed Hastings–Founder and CEO of Netflix, former US President Franklin Pierce, and novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Learn more about Bowdoin College
18. Hamilton College
Flickr user Chuck Miller
Location: Clinton, NY
Student Enrollment: 1,904
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
Founded in 1793 as a boys’ school, Hamilton College is now a coeducational institution with nearly even representation of male and female students–with 54% of all students being women. The average ACT score for incoming freshman is between 30 and 33, and the average SAT score between 1,320 and 1,467.
Learn more about Hamilton College
17. Wellesley College
Wikipedia Commons user Jared and Corin
Location: Wellesley, MA
Student Enrollment: 2,323
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
Wellesley College is a women’s school located close to Boston. The college receives nearly 5,000 applications each year and has an acceptance rate of 30%. The top 5 most common majors on campus include: Economics, Psychology, Political Science and Government, Neuroscience, and Biology.
Learn more about Wellesley College
16. Davidson College
Wikimedia Commons user Dacoslett
Location: Davidson, NC
Student Enrollment: 1,770
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
This Liberal Arts college has a strong Presbyterian Church affiliation, and was founded by General William Lee Davidson, a commander in the Revolutionary War. Known as the Wildcats, the college’s athletic classification is NCAA Division I-AA. Their school colors are red and black.
Learn more about Davidson College
15. Colorado College
Wikimedia Commons user Xnatedawgx
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Student Enrollment: 2,067
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year or above
With approximately 8,000 applications per year, and about 1,400 of those being accepted, Colorado College has a 17% acceptance rate and a reputation of being selective. In terms of ACT and SAT scoring, the average Colorado College freshman has a 27 – 32 or a 1,220 – 1,425 respectively. Some of the popular sports on campus include: basketball, ice hockey, lacrosse, and swimming.
Learn more about Colorado College
14. Carleton College
Wikimedia Commons user Dogs1337
Location: Northfield, MN
Student Enrollment: 2,057
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
Known as the Knights, Carleton College has a fascinating history. It is named after donor William Carleton, who gave $50,000 to the school in 1871 after its president, James Strong, survived a carriage and train collision while fundraising for the college. The college has an impressive 97% first-year retention rate and a 91% 4-year graduation rate.
Learn more about Carleton College
13. Vassar College
Wikimedia Commons user Sabatheus
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Student Enrollment: 2,422
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year or above
Incoming freshmen tend to have an ACT score between 30 and 33. For SAT, the averages are 1,335 and 1,475. The most common major on campus is Economics, followed by Psychology, Biology, and English. Notable alumni include: poet Elizabeth Bishop, computer pioneer Grace Hopper, and actress Meryl Streep.
Learn more about Vassar College
12. Middlebury College
Wikimedia Commons user PenelopeIsMe
Location: Middlebury, VT
Student Enrollment: 2,533
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year or above
A Liberal Arts college with a 17% acceptance rate, Middlebury College has been the school of several notable alumni, including Alexander Twilight, the first African-American student to graduate from an American college or university. It boasts an impressive 97% first-year retention rate and an 8:1 student-faculty ratio.
Learn more about Middlebury College
11. Washington and Lee University
Flickr user Robert of Fairfax
Location: Lexington, VA
Student Enrollment: 2,264
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year or above
This university is named after George Washington—who gifted the school a large stock endowment—and General Robert E. Lee—who served as the college’s president until his death. It’s top three most popular majors are: Business Administration and Management, Accounting and Business / Management, and Economics.
Learn more about Washington and Lee University
10. Haverford College
Flickr user Mark Goebel
Location: Haverford, PA
Student Enrollment: 1,194
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
Haverford College has an acceptance rate of 25%, and the incoming freshmen have impressive ACT and SAT scores—between 30 and 34, and 1,343 and 1,522 respectively. Founded originally as a Quaker school, the philosophies of the group still influence the students to this day. The college has produced a number of Fulbright and Rhodes scholars.
Learn more about Haverford College
9. United States Military Academy
Flickr user Forsaken Fotos
Location: West Point, NY
Student Enrollment: 4,414
College Type: Public, 4 year
With its motto of “Duty. Honor. Country.” this Academy—founded by former US President Thomas Jefferson—produces cadets with bachelor’s degrees in a number of academic fields. The most popular majors on campus include Mechanical Engineering, Economics, and Business Administration.
Learn more about the United States Military Academy
8. Claremont McKenna College
Flickr user CampusGrotto
Location: Claremont, CA
Student Enrollment: 1,324
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year or above
With its school motto of “Crescit cum commercio civitas” which means “Civilization prospers with commerce.” Therefore it’s no surprise that Economics is the most common major on campus—followed by Political Science and Psychology. It’s a highly selective school, with an 11% acceptance rate.
Learn more about Claremont McKenna College
7. United States Air Force Academy
Flickr user Jacqueline Poggi
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Student Enrollment: 3,925
College Type: Public, 4 year
The gyrfalcon is the mascot of this Academy, and their school colors are blue and silver. It is as academic as it is historic—drawing in about a million tourists every year. It has a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and a 94% first-year retention rate. The most popular major on campus is Business Administration.
Learn more about the United States Air Force Academy
6. Harvey Mudd College
Flickr user CampusGrotto
Location: Claremont, CA
Student Enrollment: 804
College Type: Private, nonprofit, 4 year
This Liberal Arts college puts a great focus on science, mathematics, and engineering. Academics are very important to the school, and incoming freshmen have impressive exam scores—between 32 and 35 on average for the ACT, and between 1,408 and 1,560 for the SAT. Their school colors are gold and black.
Learn more about Harvey Mudd College
5. Williams College
Flickr user SERSeanCrane
Location: Williamstown, MA
Student Enrollment: 2,126
College Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
The average ACT composite for incoming first-year students ranges between 30 and 34, and the average SAT combined score ranges between 1,349 and 1,535. Williams College also boasts a delightful purple cow as their mascot, nicknamed Ephelia.
Learn more about Williams College
4. Swarthmore College
Flickr user Alan Romanczuk
Location: Swarthmore, PA
Student Enrollment: 1,542
College Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
This college is well-known for having an impressive first-year retention rate of 98%. Notable alumni Alice Paul, popular for her work with the women’s rights movement, graduated from Swarthmore College in 1905 with a bachelor’s degree in biology.
Learn more about Swarthmore College
3. Amherst College
Flickr user Henry
Location: Amherst, MA
Student Enrollment: 1,792
College Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Amherst College has students from around the country and the globe, including noteworthy alum Uhuru Kenyatta, the current President of Kenya. The most popular majors are Economics and English Language and Literature, followed closely by history.
Learn more about Amherst Collfege
2. United States Naval Academy
Flickr user Rich Johnstone
Location: Annapolis, MD
Student Enrollment: 4,511
College Type: Public, 4-year or above
The campus of the Naval Academy is a National Historic Landmark, and the motto is “From Knowledge, Sea Power”. The academy has a 98% first-year retention rate, and the most popular majors are economics and systems engineering. All students are required to live on campus, and the academy is a member of the NCAA.
Learn more about the United States Naval Academy
1. Pomona College
Flickr user Dave and Margie Hill
Location: Claremont, CA
Student Enrollment: 1,650
College Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Pomona is well-known for its career preparation programs, with on-campus internships and research opportunities for students. The college has a 93% four year graduation rate, and a 7:1 student to faculty rate.
Learn more about Pomona College
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Each of these rankings are based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, academic rigor, and student success. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.
