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2025 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia

26 Colleges in Virginia
14,634 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$31,562 Avg Early-Career Salary
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #3 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in Virginia to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 14,634 degrees in liberal arts / sciences & humanities to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School

Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia The liberal arts / sciences & humanities program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities rankings. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / Sciences & Humanities Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Doctor's Degrees in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia list to help you make the college decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.

10 Top Virginia Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
322 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$41,398 Median Starting Salary

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 322 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who get their degree from George Mason University make $9,836 more than the typical liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduate.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from George Mason University

2
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3,745 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
3.7% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat Northern Virginia Community College if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northern Virginia Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Annandale. A Best Colleges rank of #205 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Northern Virginia Community College is a great college overall.

There were about 3745 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. After graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients generally make about $31,936 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Northern Virginia Community College

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
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
243 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$49,408 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat James Madison University if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.

There were about 243 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities degree recipients from James Madison University receive an earnings boost of about $17,846 over the average earnings of liberal arts / sciences & humanities majors.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from James Madison University

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
487 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$21,755 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in liberal arts / sciences & humanities needs to take a look at Southside Virginia Community College. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public college located in the rural 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 487 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients generally make about $21,755 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Southside Virginia Community College

5
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$37,677 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized 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 about 114 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at UMW in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities degree recipients from University of Mary Washington receive an earnings boost of about $6,115 above the average income of liberal arts / sciences & humanities majors.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University of Mary Washington

6
Longwood crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
44.9% Growth in Graduates

Longwood is a small public university located in the town of Farmville. A Best Colleges rank of #1153 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Longwood is a great university overall.

There were roughly 49 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Longwood in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who get their degree from Longwood University earn $15,152 more than the average liberal arts / sciences & humanities student.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Longwood University

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
452 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
6.6% Growth in Graduates

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 452 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Patrick Henry in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program state that they receive average early career wages of $20,758.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Patrick Henry 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
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
686 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$26,696 Median Starting Salary

Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-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 about 686 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program earn about $26,696 for their early career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Lord Fairfax Community College

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
675 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
5.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1185 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Tidewater Community College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 675 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients generally earn around $27,405 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Tidewater Community College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
187 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$23,756 Median Starting Salary

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 schools nationwide means Southwest Virginia is a great college overall.

There were roughly 187 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Virginia in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program earn about $23,756 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Southwest Virginia Community College

Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 38 18,227
West Virginia 38 3,558
Mississippi 38 5,696
South Carolina 38 4,243
Florida 38 64,443
Arkansas 38 5,153
Alabama 37 5,890
Kentucky 37 6,493
Georgia 37 7,724
Tennessee 37 10,179
Louisiana 37 2,864

View All Rankings >

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 14,634

View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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