Best Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal arts colleges provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for a variety of career paths. These colleges offer diverse majors and emphasize critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. With so many liberal arts colleges to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the best.

College rankings are a helpful tool for students and parents looking to evaluate different liberal arts colleges. These rankings consider graduation rates, student-faculty ratios, and post-graduation employment rates. Students should remember that rankings are just one factor to consider when choosing a college and should not be the sole determining factor.

College Consensus is one resource that provides a comprehensive ranking of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States. Their rankings are based on published rankings and student reviews, providing a well-rounded view of each college. Students can use this resource to compare different liberal arts colleges and find the one that best fits their needs and goals.

Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine. It was founded in 1794 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,828 students. Bowdoin College is known for offering a rigorous liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and interdisciplinary learning.

Annual Cost

According to the US News & World Report, the annual cost of attending Bowdoin College for 2022-2023 is $78,000. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, Bowdoin College is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. The college offers need-based financial aid, grants, and scholarships to help students cover the cost of attendance.

Enrollment

Bowdoin College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,828 students, with a gender distribution of 50% male and 50% female students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, and the average class size is 16. This allows for a personalized learning experience and close interaction with professors.

SAT Range

Bowdoin College is a highly selective institution and requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. According to the US News & World Report, the middle 50% of admitted students had SAT scores between 1440-1560. This indicates that Bowdoin College is looking for students who have strong academic abilities and can handle the rigorous curriculum.

Bowdoin College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. It is known for its strong humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences programs. The college has a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and research, and students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members on research projects.

In conclusion, Bowdoin College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in New England and the United States. It offers a rigorous education, a personalized learning experience, and generous financial aid to help students cover the cost of attendance.

Williams College

Williams College is a private liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1793 and has consistently been ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attending Williams College for the 2022-2023 academic year is $78,480. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, Williams College is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, making it possible for students from all backgrounds to attend.

Enrollment

As of Fall 2022, Williams College has 2,050 undergraduate students. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 70 countries. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1, which allows for personalized attention and mentorship from faculty members.

SAT Range

The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students at Williams College is 1440-1560. However, Williams College has a test-optional policy, which means that students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. This policy is in line with the college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Williams College is consistently ranked as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. In the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges by US News & World Report, Williams College is ranked #1 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. It is also ranked #5 in Money’s 2022-23 Best Colleges Ranking for its strong financial aid and high graduation rates. Williams College is known for its strong academic programs, including its programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences.

In summary, Williams College is a highly respected liberal arts college committed to diversity and personalized attention for students. With its test-optional policy and commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, Williams College is accessible to students from all backgrounds.

Amherst College

Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Founded in 1821, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the country. Amherst College offers undergraduate degrees in 40 majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Annual Cost

According to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings for 2022-2023, Amherst College’s tuition and fees were $64,100. However, the college has a need-blind admission policy, which means it admits students regardless of their ability to pay and meets 100% of their demonstrated financial need. Amherst College also offers financial aid through grants, loans, and work-study programs.

Enrollment

As of fall 2021, Amherst College had a total enrollment of 1,844 students, with a 7.2% acceptance rate. The student body is diverse, with 56% identifying as students of color and 13% as international students. The college has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 16 students.

SAT Range

For the class of 2025, the middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students was 1450-1560. Amherst College is a test-optional school, meaning students can choose whether or not to submit their SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. The college also considers other factors, such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities, in its holistic review process.

Amherst College has consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. In the 2022-2023 edition of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, it was ranked #2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges, behind Williams College. The college has a strong reputation for its academic rigor, small class sizes, and close-knit community.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1864 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and is known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to social responsibility. Swarthmore College has consistently been ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Annual Cost

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the annual cost of attendance at Swarthmore College for the 2022-2023 academic year is $78,364. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. Swarthmore College is committed to making education affordable for all students and offers need-based financial aid to eligible students.

Enrollment

Swarthmore College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,559 students, with a gender distribution of 49% male and 51% female students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, and the average class size is 12 students. Swarthmore College has a diverse student body, with students from over 40 states and over 60 countries.

SAT Range

The middle 50% of SAT scores for admitted students at Swarthmore College is 1440-1560. Swarthmore College is test-optional, meaning that students can submit SAT or ACT scores or apply without test scores. Swarthmore College considers a variety of factors in the admissions process, including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.

Swarthmore College offers a wide range of sciences, social sciences, and humanities majors. The college is known for its strong engineering, biology, and economics programs. Swarthmore College is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship and offers a major in environmental studies.

In college rankings, Swarthmore College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2022-2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, Swarthmore College is ranked #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. Forbes has ranked Swarthmore College as the #1 liberal arts college in the United States.

Wellesley College

Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1870 and has since become known for its strong commitment to teaching and interdisciplinary learning.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attending Wellesley College is $61,920, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the college is committed to making education accessible to all students and offers need-based financial aid to eligible students.

Enrollment

Wellesley College has an enrollment of approximately 2,500 undergraduate students, all of whom are women. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1, allowing personalized attention and a close-knit community.

SAT Range

The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students at Wellesley College is 1410-1560. This indicates a highly selective admissions process and a strong academic community.

Wellesley College offers a wide range of majors and interdisciplinary programs, allowing students to explore their interests and passions in depth. The college is also committed to providing students with a well-rounded education that strongly emphasizes writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills.

Overall, Wellesley College is a highly respected institution that offers a rigorous and rewarding academic experience for women interested in pursuing a liberal arts education.

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college located in Middletown, Connecticut. It was founded in 1831 and has a long-standing reputation for providing an interdisciplinary education that combines the arts, humanities, and sciences. Wesleyan University is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attending Wesleyan University is $64,022, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the university is committed to providing financial aid to students who need it. In fact, more than half of Wesleyan students receive some form of financial aid, and the average financial aid package is $56,000.

Enrollment

Wesleyan University has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,000 students. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 80 countries. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, allowing small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty members.

SAT Range

The middle 50% of admitted students to Wesleyan University have SAT scores between 1390 and 1540. This indicates that the university is highly selective in its admissions process and seeks out academically talented students.

Overall, Wesleyan University is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. In the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, Wesleyan University was ranked #18 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. Forbes also ranks Wesleyan University #8 on its list of top U.S. liberal arts colleges for 2022. The university’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and diversity makes it an excellent choice for students seeking a well-rounded education.

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It is ranked #9 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category of the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges by US News. The college is known for its strong economics, government, and international relations programs.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attending Claremont McKenna College for the 2022-2023 academic year is $60,715. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the college is committed to making education affordable for all students and offers need-based financial aid to eligible students.

Enrollment

Claremont McKenna College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,240 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, and the average class size is 18 students. The college is known for its small class sizes and personalized attention to students.

SAT Range

The middle 50% SAT range for Claremont McKenna College is 1440-1560. This means that 25% of admitted students scored below 1440, and 25% scored above 1560. The college also considers other factors in the admissions process, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Claremont McKenna College offers a rigorous liberal arts education with a focus on critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. The college also offers engineering and science programs and is strongly committed to undergraduate research. Students have the opportunity to conduct research with faculty members and to present their findings at national conferences.

Overall, Claremont McKenna College is a top-ranked liberal arts college with a strong focus on economics, government, and international relations. Its small class sizes, personalized attention to students, and commitment to undergraduate research offers an excellent education for students looking for a challenging and rewarding college experience.

Pomona College

Pomona College is a private liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. It is consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attending Pomona College for the 2022-2023 academic year is $59,238. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the college is committed to making education affordable for all students and offers need-based financial aid to eligible students. In fact, over half of Pomona students receive some form of financial aid.

Enrollment

Pomona College has a total enrollment of approximately 1,700 students. The college has a small student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, which allows for personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty.

SAT Range

The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students at Pomona College is 1430-1550. This indicates that the college is highly selective in its admissions process and seeks academically talented students.

Pomona College’s curriculum is rooted in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college offers over 600 courses across 48 majors, and students are encouraged to explore a variety of academic fields.

The college also strongly focuses on undergraduate research; students can work closely with faculty on research projects. Additionally, Pomona College has a robust study abroad program, with over 50% of students studying abroad at some point during their time there.

Overall, Pomona College is a top-ranked liberal arts college that provides students with a rigorous and personalized education in a supportive and collaborative community.

Haverford College

Located in Pennsylvania, Haverford College is a private liberal arts college that is widely recognized for its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research. The college is known for its rigorous academic programs, small class sizes, and close-knit intellectual community.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attending Haverford College is $63,348, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the college is committed to making education accessible to all students, regardless of their financial backgrounds. As a result, the college offers need-based financial aid to eligible students, and more than half receive some form of financial assistance.

Enrollment

Haverford College has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,300 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1. This means that students receive personalized attention from faculty members who are dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills in their students.

SAT Range

The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students at Haverford College is 1400-1540. However, the college takes a holistic approach to admissions and considers many factors beyond test scores, including extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

College Rankings

Haverford College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. In the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges, Haverford College was ranked #18 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. The college is also highly regarded for its chemistry and physics programs, ranked among the best in the country by Niche.com.

Overall, Haverford College is a highly respected institution that offers students a challenging and rewarding educational experience in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.

Carleton College

Carleton College is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. It is known for its rigorous academic program, small class sizes, and commitment to undergraduate education. Carleton College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Annual Cost

The annual cost of attendance at Carleton College for the 2023-2024 academic year is $81,896. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. However, Carleton College is committed to meeting all admitted students’ full demonstrated financial need. In fact, over 50% of Carleton students receive need-based financial aid, with an average award of over $51,000.

Enrollment

Carleton College has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1. The college offers over 50 majors and minors in various fields, including the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 60 countries.

SAT Range

The middle 50% of SAT scores for admitted students at Carleton College range from 1430-1560. However, Carleton College has a test-optional policy, which means that students can choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Instead, the college takes a holistic approach to admissions, considering factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Overall, Carleton College is a top-ranked liberal arts college with a rigorous academic program, a diverse student body, and a commitment to undergraduate education. Its high cost of attendance is offset by generous need-based financial aid, and its test-optional policy ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to be considered for admission.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges by State