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2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

366 Colleges in the United States
37,813 Bachelor's Degrees
$37,143 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #13 most popular program 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 366 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 37,813 bachelor's degrees in liberal arts general studies during the <nil> academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools The liberal arts bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

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.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Liberal Arts General Studies in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts

1
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
538 Annual Graduates
$38,447 Median Starting Salary
$99,560 Median Student Debt

New York University is a great option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduating, liberal arts bachelor's recipients typically earn around $38,447 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from New York University

2
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is a great option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Georgetown University make $29,576 more than the typical liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Georgetown University

3
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies has to take a look at Yale University. Located in the medium-sized city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Yale University get $23,990 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Yale University

4
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
25 Annual Graduates

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Cambridge.More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Harvard University

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294 Annual Graduates
$45,243 Median Starting Salary
$34,779 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin receive $8,100 more than the average liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from The University of Texas at Austin

6
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from DePaul University get an earnings boost of approximately $46,923 over the average income of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from DePaul University

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203 Annual Graduates
$45,726 Median Starting Salary
$18,400 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Norman, University of Oklahoma is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn $8,583 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

8
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Located in the large suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

After graduation, liberal arts bachelor's recipients typically earn about $25,436 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Villanova University

9
73 Annual Graduates
$49,147 Median Starting Salary
$17,872 Median Student Debt

ASU - Tempe is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tempe.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Arizona State University - Tempe make $12,004 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Arizona State University - Tempe

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37 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Southern Methodist University

11

SMC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Moraga.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Saint Mary's College of California earn a boost of about $18,951 above the typical income of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Saint Mary’s College of California

12

USF Tampa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tampa.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from University of South Florida - Main Campus earn a boost of around $8,087 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of South Florida - Main Campus

13
292 Annual Graduates
$41,398 Median Starting Salary
$33,869 Median Student Debt

GMU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from George Mason University receive an earnings boost of about $4,255 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from George Mason University

14
1,312 Annual Graduates
$55,339 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University earn $18,196 more than the typical liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Southern New Hampshire University

15

NC State is a very large public university located in the large city of Raleigh.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from North Carolina State University get an earnings boost of about $4,518 above the typical income of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from North Carolina State University

16
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies major at Drexel University get $25,327 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Drexel University

17
Seton Hall crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
123 Annual Graduates
$36,993 Median Starting Salary
$56,000 Median Student Debt

Seton Hall is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of South Orange.

Soon after graduation, liberal arts bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $36,993 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Seton Hall University

18
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
191 Annual Graduates
$40,791 Median Starting Salary
$24,754 Median Student Debt

Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Iowa receive $3,648 more than the typical liberal arts grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Iowa

19

Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make around $30,286 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from California State University - Sacramento

20

UW - Green Bay is a large public university located in the midsize city of Green Bay.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - Green Bay make $17,293 more than the typical liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

21
143 Annual Graduates
$44,240 Median Starting Salary
$22,286 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at University of Connecticut earn $7,097 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from University of Connecticut

22
109 Annual Graduates
$36,318 Median Starting Salary
$27,112 Median Student Debt

RIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester.

Soon after graduation, liberal arts bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $36,318 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Rochester Institute of Technology

23
TAC crest
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA

TAC is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Santa Paula.

Soon after graduating, liberal arts bachelor's recipients generally make about $33,432 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Thomas Aquinas College

24
116 Annual Graduates
$35,056 Median Starting Salary
$32,104 Median Student Debt

Located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn an average of $35,056 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

25
227 Annual Graduates
$23,190 Median Starting Salary
$28,136 Median Student Debt

SDSU is a very large public university located in the large city of San Diego.

Soon after graduation, liberal arts bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $23,190 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from San Diego State University

Rest of the Top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

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KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
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Molloy crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

34
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, MO
35
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
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U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

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Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 20% of the 366 different United States liberal arts general studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
52 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
53 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
54 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
55 Utah State University Logan, UT
56 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
57 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
58 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
59 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
60 Florida International University Miami, FL
61 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
62 Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA
63 California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA
64 Indiana University - Southeast New Albany, IN
65 Ball State University Muncie, IN
66 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
67 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
68 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
69 Portland State University Portland, OR
70 Charter Oak State College New Britain, CT
71 St John’s College Annapolis, MD
72 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
73 Washington State University Pullman, WA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
74 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
75 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
76 Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT
77 Union College New York Schenectady, NY
78 Alverno College Milwaukee, WI
79 Marshall University Huntington, WV
80 Lesley University Cambridge, MA
81 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
82 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
83 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
84 Union University Jackson, TN
85 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
86 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
87 Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX
88 Southeastern University Lakeland, FL
89 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
90 Illinois State University Normal, IL
91 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
92 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
93 Seattle University Seattle, WA
94 Harding University Searcy, AR
95 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
96 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
97 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
98 Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY
99 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
100 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
101 West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
102 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
103 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ
104 University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT
105 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
106 University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
107 Indiana University - Kokomo Kokomo, IN
108 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
109 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
110 University of Mississippi University, MS
111 Lee University Cleveland, TN
112 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
113 Montana State University Bozeman, MT
114 Utah Valley University Orem, UT
115 Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM
116 Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY
117 Longwood University Farmville, VA
118 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
119 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
120 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
121 St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY
122 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH

Liberal Arts General Studies by Region

View the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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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 21,178
General Studies 12,488
Individualized Studies 2,686
Humanities 1,461

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