Best Liberal Arts Colleges – 2023

February 13, 2023

best liberal arts colleges

Just as pens have evolved from chiseled reeds to ballpoints and newspapers have evolved from stone tablets to daily emails brimming with curated headlines, a liberal arts education has evolved from its classic origins. Formerly consisting of seven very specific areas–music, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, grammar, logic, and rhetoric–the liberal arts is now comprised of four broader knowledge spheres–the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Accordingly, it encompasses subjects from neuroscience and statistics to history and performing arts. Despite its evolution, a liberal arts education continues to be highly valued, forming the foundation of many of our country’s most prestigious public and private colleges and universities. In addition to being havens of curricular flexibility and individualized attention, the top liberal arts colleges also feature strong returns on investment and excellent professional outcomes.

Would everyone benefit from an education at one of the top liberal arts colleges?

Quite honestly, yes. Engineers still need to write technical documents, reports, and emails. A self-employed artist should have some concept of math & business principles. Everyone should possess critical thinking, reflective, and problem-solving skills. In addition, approximately 30% of college students change their major at least once, and some research suggests that adults will change jobs approximately 12 times over the course of their lives. A foundation in the liberal arts at one of the best liberal arts colleges will provide you with transferable skills for years to come.

How do companies feel about students who have been educated at the best liberal arts colleges?

“Fulfilling the American Dream: Liberal Education and the Future of Work,” a 2018 survey conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, found that business executives and hiring managers identified oral communication, critical thinking, ethical judgment, teamwork, independence, self-motivation, written communication, and real-world application of skills and knowledge as being “very important” (receiving a score of 8, 9, or 10 on a 0-10 scale). In other words, the skills that you’ll develop by attending one of the top liberal arts colleges are in alignment with those most valued by employers.

How was this list of top liberal arts colleges selected?

To create this list of best liberal arts colleges, we chose those that provide curricular flexibility, strong professional outcomes, and a solid return on investment. As such, we’ve profiled colleges where graduates carry an average cumulative debt load below the current national average ($37,574).

*Note: the acceptance rates listed are for the Class of 2025, which is the most recent official data available. Some of the “How to Get Into” links will contain unofficial Class of 2026 numbers, based on institutional reporting. Additionally, the top liberal arts schools are listed in alphabetical order–the numbering is not representative of any ranking system; it is only for ease of reading. 

The Best Liberal Arts Colleges

1) Amherst College

The “New Curriculum” requires no specific courses or distribution of credits, meaning that students are free to pursue their intellectual interests immediately. Although all offerings are strong, several are especially regarded: economics, English, history, mathematics, and law.

  • Location: Amherst, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%
  • Tuition (per year): $64,100
  • Median Starting Salary: $57,900
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $16,405

How to Get Into Amherst

2) Barnard College

Required Modes of Thinking courses include those in NYC history, global inquiry, social difference, historical perspective, quantitative and empirical knowledge, and technological thinking. Additionally, the school emphasizes global perspective and public service.

  • Location: New York, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Tuition (per year): $62,525
  • Median Starting Salary: $54,700
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $20,277

How to Get Into Barnard

3) Bates College

In addition to courses in writing and scientific reasoning, students complete two four-course concentrations on a particular issue or inquiry area. Moreover, students must take on a first-year seminar, senior thesis, and focused “Short Term.”

  • Location: Lewiston, ME
  • Acceptance Rate: 17%
  • Tuition (per year): $61,066
  • Median Starting Salary: $55,300
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $26,020

4) Bowdoin College

Along with courses from five distribution areas, students are required to take a First-Year Writing Seminar. “Digital Games and History” and “Shakespeare’s Afterlives” are just two of the 35 courses offered. Students applying to med school have an exceptional track record.

  • Location: Brunswick, ME
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%
  • Tuition (per year): $61,528
  • Median Starting Salary: $56,900
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $21,417

How to Get Into Bowdoin

5) Bryn Mawr College

Students must take courses in four “Approaches”: critical interpretation, cross-cultural analysis, inquiry into the past, and scientific investigation. Additionally, a full year of foreign language is required. 30% of students graduate with diplomas in the natural sciences or mathematics.

  • Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
  • Acceptance Rate: 39%
  • Tuition (per year): $59,330
  • Median Starting Salary: $49,000
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $29,010

6) Carleton College

Routinely ranked atop lists of best undergraduate teaching institutions, Carleton requires students to complete coursework in inquiry and argument, global citizenship, international & domestic studies, and writing. Further, all programs are well-regarded.

  • Location: Northfield, MN
  • Acceptance Rate: 18%
  • Tuition (per year): $62,634
  • Median Starting Salary: $53,500
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $17,055

7) Centre College

In addition to courses in the humanities, social studies, life science, physical science, and computer science, students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. 25% of students pursue a degree in economics, which is highly ranked.

  • Location: Danville, KY
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Tuition (per year): $48,070
  • Median Starting Salary: $49,300
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $23,306

8) Claremont McKenna College

All CMC students need to complete a senior thesis in addition to courses in writing, the humanities, foreign language, laboratory science, and math/computer science. The strongest majors include economics, government, international relations, biology, and psychology.

  • Location: Claremont, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Tuition (per year): $60,715
  • Median Starting Salary: $62,400
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $17,774

9) Colby College

Strong across many disciplines, Colby’s most highly regarded departments include biology, economics, global studies, government, and environmental science. In addition, 90% of students participate in research, an internship, or an accelerated course through “Jan Plan.”

  • Location: Waterville, ME
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%
  • Tuition (per year): $63,520
  • Median Starting Salary: $56,100
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $27,196

How to Get Into Colby

10) Colgate University

Even with one of the more extensive core curriculums of the top liberal arts colleges, Colgate has a 94% freshmen retention rate. 60-70% of the student body studies abroad, and top programs include economics, political science, and English in addition to neuroscience.

  • Location: Hamilton, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 17%
  • Tuition (per year): $64,290
  • Median Starting Salary: $62,200
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $24,647

How to Get Into Colgate

11) College of Wooster

All students must participate in a first-year seminar as well as three independent studies (one during junior year and two during senior year) where students work 1:1 with faculty. 41% of courses have less than ten students, and all majors are highly regarded.

  • Location: Wooster, OH
  • Acceptance Rate: 61%
  • Tuition (per year): $57,500
  • Median Starting Salary: $43,700
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $28,426

12) Davidson College

To graduate, students must take eight “Ways of Knowing” courses in subjects such as history, rhetoric, quantitative thought, visual performing arts, natural science, and philosophy. In addition, top programs include political science, chemistry, English, and biology.

  • Location: Davidson, NC
  • Acceptance Rate: 18%
  • Tuition (per year): $57,090
  • Median Starting Salary: $53,100
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $21,715

How to Get Into Davidson

13) DePauw University

In addition to a First-Year Seminar and a Senior Capstone Experience, students complete coursework in the arts and humanities, science and math, social science, and “Global and Local Awareness.” 81% of courses enroll less than 19 students; no class enrolls more than 29.

Location: Greencastle, IN

  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Tuition (per year): $55,410
  • Median Starting Salary: $53,900
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $26,761

14) Grinnell College

With only one required course (a writing-intensive First-Year Tutorial), Grinnell allows all students to craft their own educational journey via the Individually Advised Curriculum. Biology, chemistry, physics, economics, and history are particularly strong.

  • Location: Grinnell, IA
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Tuition (per year): $61,480
  • Median Starting Salary: $47,900
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $19,634

15) Hamilton College

No distribution requirements=maximum curricular flexibility. That said, students do need to take several writing and quantitative reasoning courses in order to graduate as well as complete a senior project. Popular programs include economics, government, and biology.

  • Location: Clinton, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 14%
  • Tuition (per year): $62,670
  • Median Starting Salary: $59,900
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $19,663

16) Harvey Mudd College

One of the best liberal arts colleges for a STEM education, Harvey Mudd only offers six majors: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics. However, a significant amount of coursework in the humanities is required.

  • Location: Claremont, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 10%
  • Tuition (per year): $62,817
  • Median Starting Salary: $83,100
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $27,423

17) Haverford College

Via a very flexible curriculum, students fulfill requirements in writing, language, and quantitative reasoning. Additionally, all students complete a senior thesis under faculty mentorship. Top programs include English, political science, and physics.

  • Location: Haverford, PA
  • Acceptance Rate: 18%
  • Tuition (per year): $63,348
  • Median Starting Salary: $51,300
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $13,000

18) Lafayette College

In addition to a first-year seminar that delves into topics like “Technological Citizenship” and “A Plastic World,” students complete coursework in foreign language, quantitative reasoning, and each of the school’s four academic divisions. The engineering program is incredibly prestigious.

  • Location: Easton, PA
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Tuition (per year): $58,618
  • Median Starting Salary: $64,000
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $27,875

19) Lawrence University

Similar to other top liberal arts colleges, Lawrence requires students to complete courses in multiple disciplines before tackling an independent Senior Experience project. Also, the music conservatory and natural sciences programs are widely renowned.

  • Location: Appleton, WI
  • Acceptance Rate: 75%
  • Tuition (per year): $53,979
  • Median Starting Salary: $47,300
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $27,342

20) Macalester College

Writing-intensive first-year seminar…check. Required coursework in the fine arts, humanities, social studies, and natural science & mathematics…check. The school is strong across the board, but well-known for strong premed, economics, international, and math programs.

  • Location: St. Paul, MN
  • Acceptance Rate: 31%
  • Tuition (per year): $62,270
  • Median Starting Salary: $49,200
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $25,181

21) Middlebury College

Students complete courses across multiple categories: literature, philosophy, history, physical science, and foreign language, to name a few. Additionally, the college is renowned for its Language Department and programs in economics and international relations.

  • Location: Middlebury, VT
  • Acceptance Rate: 13%
  • Tuition (per year): $62,460
  • Median Starting Salary: $55,400
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $22,797

How to Get Into Middlebury

22) Mount Holyoke College

During their four years on campus, students will spend most of their time pursuing academic passions rather than core coursework, although the usual suspects (writing, humanities, sciences, social sciences, math) are required. From biology to English, all programs are strong.

  • Location: South Hadley, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 52%
  • Tuition (per year): $58,498
  • Median Starting Salary: $47,000
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $25,216

23) Pomona College

Pomona requires students to complete courses in critical inquiry, writing, speaking, social institutions, mathematical reasoning, and foreign language, among others. All programs are highly respected, particularly economics, international relations, chemistry, and math.

  • Location: Claremont, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Tuition (per year): $59,238
  • Median Starting Salary: $57,500
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $17,799

How to Get Into Pomona

24) Rhodes College

Alongside a first-year experience requirement, students complete coursework in written communication, active citizenship, and scientific approaches to the natural world. 75% of students engage in undergraduate research. The science program is highly regarded.

  • Location: Memphis, TN
  • Acceptance Rate: 54%
  • Tuition (per year): $52,310
  • Median Starting Salary: $44,700
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $27,524

25) Scripps College

Students must demonstrate competency in mathematics, foreign language, and writing, and also tackle coursework in Scripps’ four major academic divisions. A senior thesis is required. All of the most popular programs, from psychology to performing arts, possess strong reputations.

  • Location: Claremont, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 30%
  • Tuition (per year): $60,712
  • Median Starting Salary: $51,800
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $20,912

26) Smith College

With an extremely flexible curriculum in which only one writing-intensive course is truly required, Smith offers students the opportunity to create their own distribution of courses. Additionally, the social sciences are extremely popular, with economics and government at the top of the heap.

  • Location: Northampton, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 30%
  • Tuition (per year): $56,768
  • Median Starting Salary: $47,700
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $19,182

27) Swarthmore College

In addition to at least three courses in the humanities, natural science & engineering, and social sciences, students must take several writing, foreign language, and laboratory science classes. Business, computer science, and engineering programs are incredibly strong.

  • Location: Swarthmore, PA
  • Acceptance Rate: 8%
  • Tuition (per year): $59,328
  • Median Starting Salary: $61,900
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $22,536

How to Get Into Swarthmore

28) Trinity College

Demonstrated competency in writing, quantitative thinking, and foreign language is required, and all students must also complete a course with a global focus or study abroad. Finally, Trinity’s economics department and engineering program are highly regarded.

  • Location: Hartford, CT
  • Acceptance Rate: 38%
  • Tuition (per year): $63,930
  • Median Starting Salary: $56,000
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $30,741

29) University of Richmond

Required coursework is fairly light, consisting of courses in historical studies, literary studies, natural sciences, social analysis, symbolic reasoning, and visual & performing arts. Strong departments include business, biology, international relations, political science, and history.

  • Location: Richmond, VA
  • Acceptance Rate: 29%
  • Tuition (per year): $60,330
  • Median Starting Salary: $56,600
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $27,639

How to Get Into the University of Richmond

30) Vassar College

One of the most flexible top liberal arts colleges, there are only three curricular mandates at Vassar: writing, foreign language, and quantitative reasoning. Moreover, top majors are in the social sciences, biology, the visual and performing arts, and psychology.

  • Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 20%
  • Tuition (per year): $64,800
  • Median Starting Salary: $49,400
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $21,899

31) Washington & Lee University

Extensive foundational and distributional coursework is required in many areas, including writing, foreign language, computer science, literature, and fine arts. Even so, the retention rate is 97%, and business-oriented programs, English, history, and journalism are highly respected.

  • Location: Lexington, VA
  • Acceptance Rate: 19%
  • Tuition (per year): $61,750
  • Median Starting Salary: $59,700
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $24,767

32) Wellesley College

Required liberal arts courses include the standard slate in addition to behavioral analysis, epistemology, ethics, and the fine arts. Although all programs are superstars, economics, chemistry, computer science, neuroscience, and political science are most renowned.

  • Location: Wellesley, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 16%
  • Tuition (per year): $61,920
  • Median Starting Salary: $53,500
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $19,297

33) Wesleyan University

Intellectual freedom abounds at Wes–academic requirements are minimal, and include several courses each in humanities & arts, social & behavioral sciences, and natural sciences & math. Consequently, all programs are respected, particularly English, film studies, and economics.

  • Location: Middletown, CT
  • Acceptance Rate: 19%
  • Tuition (per year): $64,022
  • Median Starting Salary: $54,700
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $24,873

How to Get Into Wesleyan

34) Williams College

After completing requirements in languages & the arts, social studies, science & mathematics, and writing, students have a great deal of curricular autonomy. Like other top liberal arts schools, all of Williams’ offerings garner respect–notably economics, English, history, and math.

  • Location: Williamstown, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%
  • Tuition (per year): $61,770
  • Median Starting Salary: $58,800
  • Average Cumulative Debt: $14,885

How to Get Into Williams

Final Thoughts – Best Liberal Arts Colleges

Whether you’re an aspiring film producer, English professor, or neuroscientist, any of the top liberal arts colleges would be an excellent landing spot. There, you’ll not only make close personal connections with peers and professors but also enjoy positive professional outcomes years into the future.