2025 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia
22
Colleges in Virginia
5,676
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Ranked #2 in popularity,
liberal arts is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. 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 22 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,676 degrees in liberal arts annually.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School
Your choice of liberal arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pick Your Liberal Arts Degree Level
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 Schools in Virginia list to help you make the college decision.
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 in Virginia
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Virginia Schools in Liberal Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
17th
Most Popular In VA
93
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Every student who is interested in liberal arts has to take a look at George Mason University. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 93 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from George Mason University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In VA
243
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
It's hard to beat James Madison University if you want to pursue a degree in liberal arts. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 243 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from James Madison University
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 UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In VA
328
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Southside Virginia Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public college located in the remote area of Alberta. A Best Colleges rank of #294 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Southside Virginia Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 328 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southside Virginia Community College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
18th
Most Popular In VA
76
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
University of Mary Washington is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, UMW is a public university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #789 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMW is a great university overall.
There were roughly 76 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at UMW in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University of Mary Washington
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
15th
Most Popular In VA
49
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Longwood is a small public university located in the distant town of Farmville. A Best Colleges rank of #1153 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Longwood is a great university overall.
There were approximately 49 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Longwood in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Longwood University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In VA
237
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Patrick Henry is a small public college located in the rural area of Martinsville. A Best Colleges rank of #711 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Patrick Henry is a great college overall.
There were about 237 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Patrick Henry in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Patrick Henry Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In VA
445
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Middletown. This college ranks 33rd out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were approximately 445 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Lord Fairfax Community College
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 UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
10th
Most Popular In VA
181
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1030 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Southwest Virginia is a great college overall.
There were about 181 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Virginia in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southwest Virginia Community College
Bridgewater is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Bridgewater. This college ranks 34th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were approximately 19 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Bridgewater College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
7th
Most Popular In VA
234
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, BRCC is a public college with a small student population. This college ranks 39th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were roughly 234 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at BRCC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Blue Ridge Community College
