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2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New York

65 Colleges in New York
15,743 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,562 Avg Early-Career Salary
Liberal Arts General Studies is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #1 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 65 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New York ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 15,743 degrees in liberal arts general studies annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New York The liberal arts program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts General Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Liberal Arts General Studies Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Arts
Master's Degrees in Liberal Arts

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New York list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in New York

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the liberal arts degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

13 Top New York Schools in Liberal Arts

1
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
654 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$38,783 Median Starting Salary

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 654 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from New York University receive $7,221 more than the typical liberal arts student.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from New York University

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
100 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,318 Median Starting Salary

Rochester Institute of Technology is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in liberal arts general studies. RIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester. A Best Colleges rank of #147 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means RIT is a great school overall.

There were about 100 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at RIT in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Rochester Institute of Technology make $4,756 more than the average liberal arts graduate.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Rochester Institute of Technology

Sponsored
Associates Degree Type
AA in Liberal Arts Program Name

Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in AA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Molloy crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$74,868 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies needs to check out Molloy College. Molloy is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. A Best Colleges rank of #98 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Molloy is a great college overall.

There were about 30 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Molloy in the most recent year we have data available. Liberal Arts General Studies degree recipients from Molloy College earn a boost of approximately $43,306 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Molloy College

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1,401 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$26,874 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Suffolk County Community College if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #327 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Suffolk County Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 1401 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients typically earn about $26,874 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Suffolk County Community College

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
568 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$30,417 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Valhalla, SUNY Westchester Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #159 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SUNY Westchester Community College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 568 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Westchester Community College in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, liberal arts degree recipients usually make an average of $30,417 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from SUNY Westchester Community College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
372 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$25,252 Median Starting Salary

Monroe Community College is a medium-sized public college located in the suburb of Rochester. This college ranks 82nd out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 372 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Monroe Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make about $25,252 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Monroe Community College

7
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1,020 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$27,510 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #426 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Nassau Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 1020 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career wages of $27,510.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Nassau Community College

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in General Studies Program Name

Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Union College crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$45,516 Median Starting Salary

Union College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Schenectady. A Best Colleges rank of #467 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Union College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 1 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Union College in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Union College New York receive $13,954 more than the standard liberal arts student.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Union College New York

9
Sarah Lawrence crest
Sarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
318 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
7.2% Growth in Graduates

Sarah Lawrence is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Bronxville. A Best Colleges rank of #458 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Sarah Lawrence is a great college overall.

There were approximately 318 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Sarah Lawrence in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program report average early career earnings of $25,846.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Sarah Lawrence College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
167 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$26,679 Median Starting Salary

Located in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #762 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Corning Community College is a great college overall.

There were about 167 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Corning Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program report average early career income of $26,679.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Corning Community College

11
DCC crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
341 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$22,095 Median Starting Salary

DCC is a moderately-sized public college located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. This college ranks 91st out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 341 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at DCC in the most recent data year. After graduation, liberal arts degree recipients usually earn about $22,095 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Dutchess Community College

12
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
691 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$23,669 Median Starting Salary

BMCC is a fairly large public college located in the large city of New York. This college ranks 83rd out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 691 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at BMCC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career earnings of $23,669.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Borough of Manhattan Community College

13
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
158 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$22,079 Median Starting Salary

GCC is a small public college located in the town of Batavia. This college ranks 93rd out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 158 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at GCC in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn about $22,079 for their early career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Genesee Community College

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New York award.

Rank College Location
14 Tompkins Cortland Community College Dryden, NY
15 Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY
16 Excelsior University Albany, NY
17 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY
18 Purchase College Purchase, NY
19 St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY
20 Erie Community College Buffalo, NY
21 Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 334 3,567
Maryland 279 9,514
New Jersey 273 9,619
District of Columbia 188 145
Delaware 175 649

View All Rankings >

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of 0 different types of Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs to choose from.

Liberal Arts Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 8,109
General Studies 3,853
Humanities 2,893
Individualized Studies 888

View All Liberal Arts Concentrations >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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