8 Top Liberal Arts Colleges in US: Best Liberal Arts Education

While looking for higher education, students often rush to the Ivy Leagues and chase big names. But the real value of distinct education lies in the quality of close-knit classrooms where each student receives personalized attention, allowing them space and guidance to bloom. 

Lucky for you, the top liberal arts colleges in US check off all those essentials. If you’re juggling with the debate of liberal arts colleges vs universities, we’re here to explain to you the minute details of these colleges in all of the US, and why you should opt for them.

Understanding Liberal Arts Colleges vs Universities

At a glance, liberal arts vs research university might not seem like an apt comparison, with both words appearing interchangeably. But understanding the differences can help a student in making the right choice for an academic institution that suits them best with respect to learning style, objectives, and values, rather than chasing the crowd favorite.

Liberal arts colleges are generally small colleges that place most of their emphasis on undergraduate education. They provide a well-rounded, humanities-social science curriculum instead of career training or technical expertise.

Liberal arts colleges include institutions like Williams College, Amherst College, and Swarthmore College. Class sizes are generally small, and the student-faculty ratio averages around 10:1, fostering rich interaction, close mentorship, and discussion-based education.

Some of the best liberal arts colleges are also among the oldest colleges in the US, offering top education and a legacy on the same platter. 

Top Liberal Arts Colleges in US

The best liberal arts schools in New England and all of the US are defined by a student’s unique needs. Below, we have curated a list of top liberal arts colleges in US with great academic excellence, research opportunities, supportive faculty, vast alumni network, and more.

1. Williams College

• Tuition: $59,900

Consistently bagging the 1st rank by US News and World Report as top liberal arts colleges in US, Williams College comes wrapped with close-knit classes, personalized guidance, and an intellectual hub. 

The university follows a unique practice of Oxford-style tutorials. Under this, every week, two students meet with a professor to screen and discuss essays, and gain graduate-level learning, rarely found at the undergraduate level.

With an acceptance rate of around 10%, the admissions are competitive, maintaining a standard of merit and excellence — especially with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,000 students. They have one of the best alumni networks with President James A. Garfield in it, as well as a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio that helps in producing such great leaders and academics.

2. Amherst College

• Tuition: $59,300

A leader in promoting educational rights and progressive culture, Amherst puts to rest all the debates circulating about liberal arts vs university. Historically, the college has been known to allow students to select their own course of study through its open curriculum, with no hard and fast requirements.

Through its membership in the Five College Consortium, Amherst students have access to hundreds of courses at affiliated schools. With an acceptance rate of 10%, the student body is over 1900 students from all walks of life and nationalities.

Renowned for being one of the best pre med liberal arts colleges, the college is 100% need-blind, covering the entire need-based expenses of the student, even international ones.

3. Swarthmore College

• Tuition: $61,000

Another one of the top liberal arts colleges in US is Swarthmore College. If intensity and depth are what you’re seeking, Swarthmore has got your back through its honors program, following the Oxford-style tutorial system. 

The institution combines liberal arts with a fully accredited engineering program, a rare combination in this arena. With one of the most beautiful campuses in the US, they are part of the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr and Haverford, which allows students from all three institutes to take up courses from the other two as well.

Known for being highly selective, the acceptance rate for Swarthmore College is 7%.

4. Pomona College

• Tuition: $59,000

Bathed in the sun of California, Pomona College is the perfect blend of meticulous learning and holistic growth. Pomona isn't just one of the top liberal arts colleges in US but also part of Claremont College, where students can avail of 600+ courses through the neighbouring schools. 

The college has a competitive acceptance rate of 7% and a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, offering careful guidance to each student.

5. Wellesley College

• Tuition: $60,200

The College of Wellesley stands tall with the legacy of promoting women’s leadership and education, producing notable alumni such as Hillary Clinton, Diane Sawyer, and Madeleine Albright. 

Students get to avail the privilege of cross-registration at MIT, and the college operates several joint programs, such as dual degrees in engineering. Most impressively, the college is home to over 2500 women from more than 60 countries, highlighting their deep dedication towards promoting empowerment and equity.

6. Bowdoin College

• Tuition: $60,000

Bowdoin College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in New England, embracing values of ethical leadership, civic duty, and real-world experiences culminating in their motto of "The Common Good”. They were one of the first colleges to implement test-optional admissions, making the application intake more holistic. 

Renowned for providing fully funded internships to their students, their Career Exploration & Development (CXD) program is dedicated to building and grooming you for an excellent career path ahead. Apart from being one of the best liberal arts schools in New England, it is also located around one of the top fall break destinations. 

7. Middlebury College

• Tuition: $60,900

Another one of the most sought-after liberal arts colleges in New England is Middlebury College, especially for social sciences and humanities enthusiasts. The college is particularly renowned for its Language Schools and Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.

The alumni network of the college has a strong base of elite translators, diplomats, and international scholars. A remarkable asset of the college includes its 16 language-immersive campuses across the globe.

8. Carleton College

• Tuition: $59,900

Deemed as the “intellectual Ivy of the Midwest”, Carleton College is another one of the institutions that puts the discussion of liberal arts colleges vs universities to rest.

The college is known for offering extensive research facilities to its undergraduates, with 80%+ of students indulging in research during their college years. The college is home to Dacie Moses House, which is renowned for its cute tradition of students baking cookies together.

9. Haverford College

• Tuition: $58,700

Haverford College is a prime example of one of the top liberal arts colleges in the US, offering a unique academic experience. With an acceptance rate of 13%, the college is a standout in terms of its strong honor code, which plays a central role in shaping both the academic and social culture.

A unique feature of this college is that it allows students to design their own majors, which gives them an unparalleled level of academic flexibility—something often found in smaller liberal arts colleges vs universities. With a low student-faculty ratio of 8:1, Haverford emphasizes close-knit, personalized learning that isn’t always possible in larger universities.

10. Wesleyan University

• Tuition: $61,300

As one of the most prestigious liberal arts schools in New England, Wesleyan University attracts students with a passion for both intellectual rigor and creativity. The university’s open curriculum allows for greater flexibility, allowing students to deeply explore diverse subjects, unlike more traditional research universities that may require specific course pathways.

Known for its excellence in arts and film studies, Wesleyan’s blend of academic freedom and artistic exploration makes it a standout among liberal arts colleges in New England. With an acceptance rate of 17%, Wesleyan’s no-core curriculum offers students the opportunity to shape their educational journey in a personalized way.

Find Reliable Student Accommodation in the USA with amber

Choosing between a liberal arts college vs research university often depends on your academic goals, learning style, and the kind of college experience you're looking for. While you focus on shortlisting the best institutions, be it a close-knit liberal arts campus or a research powerhouse, finding a comfortable place to live shouldn’t be an added stress.

Across cities and college towns in the US, student-friendly neighborhoods offer a variety of off-campus housing options, ranging from quiet private studios to lively shared apartments. With personalized support and flexible lease options by amber, you can enjoy a smooth transition into college life, wherever you choose to study.

Here are the top 5 cities for students attending prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities in the US:

• Boston – Home to renowned institutions like Amherst College and Wellesley College
• Claremont – Close-knit academic community of the Claremont Colleges Consortium
• New York City – Offering endless cultural, academic, and job opportunities
• Philadelphia – Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania provide a mix of historical charm and modern academia
• San Francisco – A hub for innovation with nearby Stanford University and UC Berkeley

Start your journey the right way. Find your ideal student housing option in the US with amber today.