National Liberal Arts College Rankings
National Liberal Arts College Methodology
Among the National Liberal Arts Colleges are schools like Amherst College and Middlebury College, which emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.
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- Tuition and fees:
- $44,920 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,053
- Setting:
- rural
Williamstown, MA
Williams College, a private institution in Williamstown, Mass., has three undergraduate academic branches: humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Classes at Williams are small and use an Oxford-style teaching method that relies heavily on student participation.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,610 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,791
- Setting:
- rural
Amherst, MA
Amherst College, a private school in Amherst, Mass., is known for its rigorous academic climate. Because Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, students can also take courses at Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts--Amherst.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,080 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,545
- Setting:
- suburban
Swarthmore, PA
About 10 miles outside of Philadelphia, Penn. is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,111 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,507
- Setting:
- rural
Middlebury, VT
Among the academic focuses at Middlebury College are programs in environmental studies, international studies, the sciences, and literature. The private institution is located in Middlebury, Vt. in a valley between the Green Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,438 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,586
- Setting:
- suburban
Claremont, CA
Pomona College is located in Claremont, Calif., about 35 miles away from downtown Los Angeles. Students can take advantage of this private institution's unique location during the annual Ski Beach Day, a morning of skiing at a local resort before an afternoon on a beach in Orange County.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,118 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,778
- Setting:
- suburban
Brunswick, ME
Submitting SAT and ACT scores is optional for admission to Bowdoin College, a private institution located in the coastal New England town of Brunswick, Maine. The college is home to many organizations including the Peucinian Society, one of the oldest literary and intellectual societies in the country.
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,082 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,502
- Setting:
- suburban
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley is a private liberal arts college for women about 10 miles from Boston in Wellesley, Mass. Students at Wellesley have more than 1,000 courses and more than 50 majors to choose from and can also cross-register for classes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,445 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,018
- Setting:
- rural
Northfield, MN
Carleton College is a private school in the historic river town of Northfield, Minn. Carls, as its students are known, have about 35 majors to choose from and more than 170 organizations to check out.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,702 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,198
- Setting:
- suburban
Haverford, PA
About 10 miles outside Philadelphia is Haverford College, a private liberal arts school in Haverford, Pa. Students have more than 150 organizations and sports teams to get involved in, including the only varsity cricket team in the country.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,085 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,301
- Setting:
- suburban
Claremont, CA
Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. is a member of The Claremont Colleges, which include Scripps College, Pomona College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer College. Claremont McKenna students can take classes, play sports, and attend social functions at the other member schools.
- Tuition and fees:
- $46,270 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,386
- Setting:
- suburban
Poughkeepsie, NY
Vassar College is a private liberal arts institution in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Though Vassar was a women’s college until 1969, males now make up more than 40 percent of the student body.
- Tuition and fees:
- $40,809 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,756
- Setting:
- suburban
Davidson, NC
Davidson College, a private institution about 20 miles from Charlotte, N.C., has a need-blind admissions policy. Through the Davidson Trust, the school aims to graduate students without debt by meeting all demonstrated need with a combination of grants and work-study programs rather than loans.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,442 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 777
- Setting:
- suburban
Claremont, CA
Harvey Mudd College is a private liberal arts school known for its strong programs in math, science, and engineering. Harvey Mudd is located in Claremont, Calif., about 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $0 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $0 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 4,576
- Setting:
- city
Annapolis, MD
The United States Naval Academy is a public school located in the waterfront town of Annapolis, Md. Students, known as midshipmen, are officers in training, and tuition is fully funded by the U.S. Navy in return for active-duty service after graduation.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,362 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,790
- Setting:
- rural
Lexington, VA
Washington and Lee University is a private institution named for George Washington, who gave a generous endowment to the school, and Robert E. Lee, a former president of the college. The school is located in historic Lexington, Va., where about 80 percent of the student body is involved in Greek life.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,350 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,864
- Setting:
- rural
Clinton, NY
Hamilton College is a private institution located in Clinton, N.Y. The school stresses effective writing skills, and students must pass at least three writing-intensive courses before graduation.
- Tuition and fees:
- $45,628 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,882
- Setting:
- city
Middletown, CT
Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Conn., overlooking the Connecticut River. The private institution’s sports teams compete in the Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference, as well as in the unofficial Little Three athletic conference with Amherst College and Williams College.
- Comprehensive fee:
- $55,700 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,815
- Setting:
- rural
Waterville, ME
Colby College’s campus in Waterville, Maine is a State Wildlife Management Area and is home to a wildlife refuge. The private school operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar, which includes a four-week January term for internships, study abroad trips, and research projects.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,640 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,947
- Setting:
- rural
Hamilton, NY
Colgate University is a private institution located in Hamilton, N.Y., a small town with a population about equal to the size of the student body. Students can explore the surrounding region and beyond through the Colgate’s unique Outdoor Education Program, which includes winter camping, kayaking, and skiing trips.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,460 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,627
- Setting:
- city
Northampton, MA
Smith College, a private school in Northampton, Mass., is one of the largest liberal arts schools for women in the country. Students live in group houses, not dormitories, at Smith.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $0 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $0 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 4,624
- Setting:
- suburban
West Point, NY
The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, is the oldest of the country’s five federal service academies. The public school is located in West Point, N.Y., where graduates earn a bachelor of science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,300 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,769
- Setting:
- city
Lewiston, ME
Bates College is located in Lewiston, Maine and was the first coeducational college in New England. The private school’s unique academic calendar includes a five-week spring term, during which students can study a single subject or partake in an off-campus program.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,004 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,693
- Setting:
- rural
Grinnell, IA
Students at Grinnell College, a private school in the small town of Grinnell, Iowa, are known for their social activism. Grinnell ranks top among schools of its size in sending volunteers to the Peace Corps.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,693 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,005
- Setting:
- urban
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,620 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 966
- Setting:
- suburban
Claremont, CA
Scripps College is a liberal arts college for women in Claremont, Calif. Because Scripps is a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium, students can also take classes and participate in extracurricular activities at Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, Pitzer College, and Harvey Mudd College.
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,246 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,313
- Setting:
- suburban
Bryn Mawr, PA
Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr College is a private institution. Bryn Mawr College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,905 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,959
- Setting:
- suburban
Oberlin, OH
Students at Oberlin College can study in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music, a renowned undergraduate music school. The private school, located in Oberlin, Ohio, is also home to the largest student cooperative housing organization in the country.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,502 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,438
- Setting:
- urban
New York, NY
Barnard College was established in 1889 as a private institution. Barnard College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered most selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,742 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,026
- Setting:
- city
Colorado Springs, CO
A private institution, Colorado College was founded in 1874. Colorado College offers a Greek system, where 12.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 5.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,210 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,000
- Setting:
- suburban
Univ. of Richmond, VA
University of Richmond has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,000, with a gender distribution of 46.1 percent male students and 53.9 percent female students. At this school, 90.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 10.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $0 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $0 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 4,413
- Setting:
- suburban
USAF Academy, CO
Founded in 1954, United States Air Force Academy is a public institution. United States Air Force Academy follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered most selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $45,378 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,554
- Setting:
- rural
Lewisburg, PA
Bucknell University is a private institution that was founded in 1846. The school has 57.0 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Bucknell University is 10:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,400 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,905
- Setting:
- suburban
Worcester, MA
College of the Holy Cross was established in 1843 as a private institution. College of the Holy Cross follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,420 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,657
- Setting:
- rural
Gambier, OH
A private institution, Kenyon College was founded in 1824. Kenyon College offers a Greek system, where 7.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 38.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,456 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,352
- Setting:
- suburban
South Hadley, MA
Mount Holyoke College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,352, with a gender distribution of 0.1 percent male students and 99.9 percent female students. At this school, 94.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 6.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,798 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,982
- Setting:
- rural
Annandale on Hudson, NY
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a private institution. Bard College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $32,292 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,477
- Setting:
- rural
Sewanee, TN
Sewanee--University of the South is a private institution that was founded in 1857. The school has 68.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Sewanee--University of the South is 10:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $45,730 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,344
- Setting:
- urban
Hartford, CT
Trinity College was established in 1823 as a private institution. Trinity College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,280 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,478
- Setting:
- city
Easton, PA
A private institution, Lafayette College was founded in 1826. Lafayette College offers a Greek system, where 40.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 21.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,570 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,123
- Setting:
- urban
Los Angeles, CA
Occidental College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,123, with a gender distribution of 43.1 percent male students and 56.9 percent female students. At this school, 78.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 22.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,890 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,896
- Setting:
- city
New London, CT
Founded in 1911, Connecticut College is a private institution. Connecticut College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $45,219 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,220
- Setting:
- city
Schenectady, NY
Union College is a private institution that was founded in 1795. The school has 68.0 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Union College is 10:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,402 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,099
- Setting:
- suburban
Claremont, CA
Pitzer College was established in 1963 as a private institution. Pitzer College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,020 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,689
- Setting:
- suburban
Saratoga Springs, NY
A private institution, Skidmore College was founded in 1903.
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,106 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,596
- Setting:
- city
Walla Walla, WA
Whitman College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,596, with a gender distribution of 41.9 percent male students and 58.1 percent female students. At this school, 68.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 32.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,551 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,397
- Setting:
- suburban
Carlisle, PA
Founded in 1783, Dickinson College is a private institution. Dickinson College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,360 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,363
- Setting:
- city
Lancaster, PA
Franklin and Marshall College is a private institution that was founded in 1787. The school has 50.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Franklin and Marshall College is 10:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $44,210 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,494
- Setting:
- suburban
Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg College was established in 1832 as a private institution. Gettysburg College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,280 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,272
- Setting:
- suburban
Granville, OH
A private institution, Denison University was founded in 1831. Denison University offers a Greek system, where 29.8 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 23.7 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,532 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,825
- Setting:
- suburban
Greenville, SC
Furman University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,825, with a gender distribution of 42.8 percent male students and 57.2 percent female students. At this school, 96.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 4.0 percent of students live off campus.
