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:
- $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.
