The Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges in the US

Many students are drawn toward liberal arts colleges for their high-quality academics and broad curriculums that prepare them for various careers. A small campus size is also a bonus. Here are the top 25 liberal arts colleges.

25. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Cooper Union is located in Manhattan, New York City, New York. The school initially offered free tuition for all undergraduate students. Since 2014, tuition works on a sliding scale based on need, covering from half to full. Cooper Union has a 16% acceptance rate and an 83% graduation rate. In-state tuition is $46,700, and average financial aid is $44,870.

24. Soka University of America

Soka University is located in Alisa Viejo, California, with a sister school in Japan. The University emphasizes human rights, discussion, and peace. They offer a Master’s degree in societal change. All students must spend one semester studying abroad. The acceptance rate is 39%, and the graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition is $34,086, and the average financial aid is $27,931.

23. Smith College

Smith is a women’s college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. However, its certificate and graduate programs allow men to attend. The college has an open curriculum, allowing students to take classes in various fields. Smith College has an acceptance rate of 31% and a graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition is $54,224, and average financial aid is $52,924.

22. Vassar College

Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, New York. It’s part of the Seven Sisters, a group of elite liberal arts colleges that were once women’s colleges. Vassar offers generous financial aid and many scholarships to help low-income students attend. Its acceptance rate is 25%, and its graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition is $58,770, and the average financial aid is $49,190.

21. Colby College

Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine. The college offers 54 different academic fields. It emphasizes a generous study abroad program, and two-thirds of students participate, earning credits in places such as France, Spain, and Russia. Colby has a 13% acceptance rate and 87% graduation rate. In-state tuition is $57,280, and the average financial aid is $48,637.

20. Washington and Lee University

Founded in 1749, Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Virginia. Political activism, intellectual conversations, and strong study habits are its hallmarks. Students say professors here are always available to talk. It’s also known for its party scene. The acceptance rate is 21%, and the graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition is $54,830, and average financial aid is $46,849.

19. University of Richmond

Located in Richmond, Virginia, the University is larger than many liberal arts colleges, with over 4,000 students. The University is divided into five schools, including arts and sciences, business, leadership studies, law, and professional and continuing studies. The acceptance rate is 30%, and the graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition is $54,690, and average financial aid is $43,705.

18. Hamilton College

Hamilton is located in Clinton, New York, and has a small student body of 1800 students. Students praise the small class size and professor accessibility. The college offers 53 academic options with 43 concentrations. The acceptance rate is 21%, and the graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition is $56,530, and the average financial aid is $43,434.

17. United States Military Academy

Located in West Point, New York, the Academy has no tuition because students become active-duty members of the US military upon graduation. However, graduates frequently become second lieutenants in the Army. Students praise its strong academic program, campus safety, and accessible professors. The acceptance rate is 10%, and the graduation rate is 86%.

16. Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut. It offers a few master’s and doctoral degrees. It boasts many esteemed alumni, including four Nobel laureates and 34 members of Congress. While rigorous, it’s less competitive than some other schools. The acceptance rate is 17%, and the graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition is $57,004, and the average financial aid is $50,051.

15. Colgate University

Located in Hamilton, New York, Colgate University is among the few liberal arts colleges offering graduate degrees. The school offers generous financial aid, as well as the opportunity to travel to multiple countries with its study abroad programs. The acceptance rate is 28%, and the graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition is $55,870, and the average financial aid is $48,369.

14. Barnard College

This private women’s liberal arts college is in Manhattan, New York City. It’s part of a network that allows students to take classes at other nearby schools, such as Columbia and Wellesley, expanding program availability. Barnard’s acceptance rate is 15%, and its graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition is $55,032, and the average financial aid is $43,984.

13. Harvey Mudd College

Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, California. The college is known for its academic rigor and STEM programs, particularly its engineering and computer science programs. The college has excellent facilities and student groups. Its acceptance rate is 15%, and the graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition is $56,876, and the average financial aid is $40,138.

12. Bates College

Founded in 1885 in Lewiston, Maine, Bates was the first coed college and among the first to admit minority students before the Emancipation Proclamation. The school has strong academics. Students praise the campus food and student-teacher ratio. The acceptance rate is 22%, and the graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition is $53,794, and the average financial aid is $42,804.

11. Davidson College

Located in Davidson, North Carolina, and its biggest draw is athletics. Around 25% of students participate in NCAA Division I athletics — the highest level available for college students. Students are intellectually driven and passionate about social causes. The acceptance rate is 20%, and the graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition is 51,447 dollars, and the average financial aid is $44,434.

10. Wellesley College

This private women’s college is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It’s part of the Seven Sisters Colleges. Wellesley is also the highest-endowed women’s college in the world at nearly $2 billion. The school has high academic standards. The acceptance rate is 22%, and the graduation rate is 78%. In-state tuition is $53,732, and the average financial aid is $47,375.

9. Haverford College

Founded in 1883 and located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, the school’s alumni include five Nobel Prize recipients, six Pulitzer winners, and numerous Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars. Students value academic discussions, small class sizes, and challenging courses. The acceptance rate is 20%, and the graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition is $56,698, and the average financial aid is $51,198.

8. Swarthmore College

Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, the school’s alumni include five Nobel Prize winners, as well as numerous Rhodes, Truman, and Fulbright Scholars. Students choose Swarthmore for its strong academics, small class sizes, supportive factory, and generous office hours with professors. The acceptance rate is 9%, and the graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition is $54,656. The average financial aid is $51,079.

7. Claremont McKenna College

Located in Claremont, California, the school specializes in government affairs, international relations, and economics while offering various programs. It also offers graduate-level education through its Robert Day School of Economics and Finance. It leans toward conservative political beliefs. The acceptance rate is 9%, and the graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition is $28,095, and the average financial aid is $41,960.

6. Carleton College

Located in Northfield, Minnesota, Carleton is known for its strong academic programs. Carleton is known for producing Fullbright Scholars, Watson Fellows, Goldwater Scholars, and Rhodes Scholars. The acceptance rate is 21%, and the graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition is $54,759, and the average financial aid is $40,675.

5. Williams College

Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the college has claimed the number-one spot on US News’ top liberal arts colleges for 17 consecutive years. Williams also offers two graduate programs: Art history and development economics. It’s known for its rigorous academics. The acceptance rate is 15%, and the graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition is $55,450, and the average financial aid is $51,773.

4. Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, it’s one of the most selective liberal arts colleges, accepting only 7.6% of students. However, 90% of students graduate. Within its rigorous academics, one of its strengths is its sense of community among different backgrounds and disciplines that creates camaraderie. In-state tuition is $54,380, and the average financial aid is $52,688.

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3. Middlebury College

Founded in 1800 in Middlebury, Vermont, the college has a rich history and was the first American university to award a bachelor’s degree to a Black man in 1823. It has a student body of 2,500. The acceptance rate is 17.2%, and the graduation rate is 94.1%. In-state tuition is $50,063, and the average financial aid is $48,374.

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2. Bowdoin College

This over 200-year-old private liberal arts college is located in Brunswick, Maine. Students praise its small student body of 1800, camaraderie, and close-knit community. There are many nearby activities, indoors and out, as well as excellent dining options. The acceptance rate is 14.9%, and the graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition is $55,822, and the average financial aid is $46,614.

1. Amherst College

This private liberal arts college is located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The focus is on quality undergraduate education. Its biggest draws are its academics, small student body, school pride, and the community-driven and intimate feeling. The acceptance rate is 14.3%, and the graduation rate is an impressive 95%. In-state tuition is $72,950, and the average financial aid is $54,501.