Best institutions to study Liberal Arts and Sciences
Any single instructional program in liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities not listed above.
380 U.S. institutions graduated 52,613 Liberal Arts and Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 24.0199, a specialization of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 24.01).
About Liberal Arts and Sciences programs
Any single instructional program in liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, officially titled 'Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other,' offers a broad educational foundation in the liberal arts. This program is designed for students seeking a versatile education that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills applicable across various fields. It is ideal for those who wish to explore diverse subjects while preparing for further academic pursuits or a range of careers. With approximately 380 colleges across the U.S. offering this program, students can benefit from a flexible curriculum that caters to individual interests and career goals. Graduates of this program are equipped with a well-rounded education that fosters intellectual curiosity and prepares them for a dynamic job market or advanced studies.
In the Liberal Arts and Sciences program, students engage in coursework that enhances their critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. The curriculum typically includes a variety of subjects such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, providing a comprehensive understanding of human culture and society.
Credentials awarded
What Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years21,836 graduates / yr · 41 institutions42%
- Associate's degree15,784 graduates / yr · 210 institutions30%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12,153 graduates / yr · 49 institutions23%
- Bachelor's degree2,664 graduates / yr · 119 institutions5.1%
- Master's degree105 graduates / yr · 13 institutions0.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks35 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate25 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Liberal Arts and Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 24,450 |
| 2013 | 25,690 |
| 2014 | 26,702 |
| 2015 | 31,540 |
| 2016 | 32,923 |
| 2017 | 35,491 |
| 2018 | 34,920 |
| 2019 | 35,747 |
| 2020 | 36,446 |
| 2021 | 37,365 |
| 2022 | 36,670 |
| 2023 | 34,273 |
| 2024 | 45,838 |
| 2025 | 52,613 |
Top 50 institutions for Liberal Arts and Sciences, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8,582 | 40% | — | $22,188 |
| 2 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8,260 | 80% | — | $35,775 |
| 3 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3,546 | 38% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 3,034 | 33% | — | $41,071 |
| 5 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 2,504 | 47% | — | — |
| 6 | College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,196 | 33% | — | $29,862 |
| 7 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,187 | 48% | — | $34,573 |
| 8 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 1,051 | 58% | — | — |
| 9 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,020 | 39% | — | $31,882 |
| 10 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 842 | 32% | — | — |
| 11 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 754 | 43% | $34,565 | $43,806 |
| 12 | Montgomery College Rockville, MDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 749 | 32% | — | $20,217 |
| 13 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 612 | 51% | — | — |
| 14 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 578 | 32% | — | $31,068 |
| 15 | Laurel Ridge Community College Middletown, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 561 | 45% | — | $28,017 |
| 16 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 543 | 49% | — | — |
| 17 | Brightpoint Community College Chester, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 522 | 38% | — | $25,240 |
| 18 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 487 | 33% | — | $26,787 |
| 19 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAssociate's | 486 | 19% | — | $27,852 |
| 20 | Prince George's Community College Largo, MDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 406 | 18% | — | $31,322 |
| 21 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MDPublicAssociate's | 361 | 31% | — | $25,826 |
| 22 | East Central Community College Decatur, MSPublicAssociate's | 270 | 36% | — | $17,810 |
| 23 | Germanna Community College Locust Grove, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 260 | 46% | — | $27,088 |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 256 | 48% | — | $54,436 |
| 25 | Kent State University at Stark North Canton, OHPublicAssociate's | 254 | 37% | — | $34,969 |
| 26 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAssociate's | 249 | 24% | — | $36,276 |
| 27 | Rappahannock Community College Glenns, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 235 | 45% | — | $23,512 |
| 28 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 233 | 32% | — | $27,294 |
| 29 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAssociate's | 224 | 35% | — | $35,023 |
| 30 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 222 | 35% | — | — |
| 31 | Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 215 | 42% | — | $21,477 |
| 32 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WIPublicAssociate's | 213 | 46% | — | $26,463 |
| 33 | Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 188 | 40% | — | $24,728 |
| 34 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 188 | 34% | — | $31,228 |
| 35 | Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge, LAPublicAssociate's | 187 | 31% | — | $28,650 |
| 36 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 184 | 40% | — | $22,071 |
| 37 | Harford Community College Bel Air, MDPublicAssociate's | 177 | 39% | — | $26,448 |
| 38 | Savannah Technical College Savannah, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 175 | 42% | — | — |
| 39 | Frederick Community College Frederick, MDPublicAssociate's | 174 | 37% | — | $22,067 |
| 40 | Arapahoe Community College Littleton, COPublicAssociate's | 173 | 29% | — | $38,592 |
| 41 | Central Virginia Community College Lynchburg, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 173 | 45% | — | $19,393 |
| 42 | Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 172 | 48% | — | — |
| 43 | Meridian Community College Meridian, MSPublicAssociate's | 170 | 34% | — | $24,817 |
| 44 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 166 | 22% | — | $31,206 |
| 45 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 166 | 89% | — | $45,243 |
| 46 | Schoolcraft Community College District Livonia, MIPublicAssociate's | 162 | 18% | — | $29,158 |
| 47 | Albany Technical College Albany, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 159 | 42% | — | — |
| 48 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 158 | 58% | — | $36,157 |
| 49 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 157 | 59% | — | $33,314 |
| 50 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 156 | 50% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Liberal Arts and Sciences field (CIP 24.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 48 states & territories
Where Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Liberal Arts and Sciences programs offered there.
Other Liberal Arts and Sciences specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 24.01).
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
Approximately 380 colleges across the U.S. offer the Liberal Arts and Sciences program.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills through a diverse curriculum.
How many graduates are there each year?+
There are about 52,613 graduates per year from this program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Liberal Arts and Sciences?+
Liberal Arts and Sciences is CIP 24.0199 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 24.01). NCES defines it as: Any single instructional program in liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities not listed above.
How many institutions offer Liberal Arts and Sciences programs?+
380 U.S. institutions reported Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 48 states & territories, awarding 52,613 credentials in the year. That is 9.6% of all Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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