Colleges that graduate the most liberal arts and general studies majors
386 of the 1,082 colleges CollegeCalcAI tracks awarded at least 10 bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and general studies in 2023, 29,746 degrees in all, 1.9% of every bachelor's degree those colleges granted. Southern New Hampshire University graduated the most (1,524), and the ten largest programs account for 18% of the field's graduates at tracked colleges. Nationally the field is 1.9% of bachelor's degrees across 2,440 institutions, so it is represented in line with the national mix at the four-year colleges here. 64% of these graduates were women.
Largest liberal arts and general studies programs
The 50 largest liberal arts and general studies programs by bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023. Click a college for its liberal arts and general studies page: share of campus, rank among its majors, gender split, and the admissions bar.
336 more colleges award 10 or more degrees in this field: every one is listed further down this page, and in the CSV download.
Most concentrated in liberal arts and general studies
Where liberal arts and general studies is the biggest part of campus: share of all graduates, among colleges awarding at least 50 degrees in the field.
| # | College | Degrees (2023) | Share of grads | Acceptance rate | SAT 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Aquinas College · CA | 107 | 100% | 83% | 1360 |
| 2 | Evergreen State College · WA | 359 | 82.2% | 96% | 1180 |
| 3 | New College of Florida · FL | 56 | 43.1% | 73% | 1380 |
| 4 | Mississippi Valley State University · MS | 50 | 28.7% | 92% | 990 |
| 5 | Fresno Pacific University · CA | 136 | 26.2% | 64% | 1150 |
| 6 | Concord University · WV | 69 | 24% | 93% | 1120 |
| 7 | UVA Wise · VA | 51 | 22.4% | 75% | 1120 |
| 8 | Bethune-Cookman University · FL | 64 | 22.1% | 88% | 1030 |
| 9 | Eastern New Mexico University · NM | 160 | 21.1% | 75% | 1120 |
| 10 | Daemen University · NY | 83 | 20.1% | 68% | 1150 |
| 11 | University of the Cumberlands · KY | 266 | 19.3% | 99% | 1130 |
| 12 | SE Oklahoma State · OK | 115 | 17.7% | 76% | 1100 |
| 13 | Columbia College (MO) · MO | 162 | 16.5% | 65% | 1120 |
| 14 | University of Virginia · VA | 705 | 16.2% | 17% | 1510 |
| 15 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette · LA | 354 | 15.6% | 87% | 1190 |
| 16 | Texas A&M Kingsville · TX | 132 | 14.8% | 91% | 1120 |
| 17 | LSU Shreveport · LA | 62 | 14.6% | 78% | 1100 |
| 18 | University of Nebraska Omaha · NE | 338 | 14.1% | 87% | 1230 |
| 19 | Governors State University · IL | 79 | 14% | 48% | 1100 |
| 20 | IU Northwest · IN | 65 | 14% | 73% | 1100 |
How to get in for liberal arts and general studies
What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.
Colleges publish one acceptance rate for the whole school, not per major, so there is no official admit rate for liberal arts and general studies. The median acceptance rate among the 386 colleges awarding it is 81%; the most selective (University of Pennsylvania, 5%) and the most accessible (Southern New Hampshire University, 100%) both graduate substantial numbers in the field. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies a published per-major adjustment for "English / Humanities" on top of each school's own rate, so your estimate reflects the major you declare.
- The most rigorous courses your school offers in the subjects closest to this field
- A sustained activity connected to the field, with a role you can describe concretely
- An essay that explains why this field, specifically, at this school
- Run your odds with the major set: your estimate for liberal arts and general studies →
Most selective colleges for liberal arts and general studies
Lowest acceptance rates among colleges awarding at least 25 liberal arts and general studies degrees.
| # | College | Degrees (2023) | Share of grads | Acceptance rate | SAT 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania · PA | 42 | 1.5% | 5% | 1560 |
| 2 | New York University · NY | 649 | 8.2% | 9% | 1530 |
| 3 | University of Notre Dame · IN | 29 | 1.2% | 11% | 1550 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University · PA | 36 | 2.1% | 12% | 1550 |
| 5 | University of Michigan · MI | 58 | 0.7% | 16% | 1520 |
| 6 | University of Virginia · VA | 705 | 16.2% | 17% | 1510 |
| 7 | University of Miami · FL | 29 | 1% | 19% | 1480 |
| 8 | Florida State University · FL | 62 | 0.7% | 24% | 1380 |
| 9 | University of Texas at Austin · TX | 293 | 2.8% | 27% | 1460 |
| 10 | Villanova University · PA | 26 | 1.5% | 27% | 1460 |
| 11 | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo · CA | 100 | 2% | 31% | 1420 |
| 12 | San Diego State University · CA | 268 | 3.1% | 36% | 1340 |
| 13 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff · AR | 40 | 13.1% | 41% | 1010 |
| 14 | NC State University · NC | 29 | 0.4% | 42% | 1380 |
| 15 | University of South Florida · FL | 210 | 2.1% | 43% | 1320 |
Most accessible colleges for liberal arts and general studies
Colleges admitting 60% or more of applicants that still award at least 50 liberal arts and general studies degrees a year.
| # | College | Degrees (2023) | Share of grads | Acceptance rate | SAT 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University · NH | 1,524 | 6.4% | 100% | 1130 |
| 2 | Northeastern State University · OK | 86 | 7.6% | 100% | 1100 |
| 3 | University of the Cumberlands · KY | 266 | 19.3% | 99% | 1130 |
| 4 | Southeastern Louisiana University · LA | 223 | 13% | 99% | 1100 |
| 5 | West Texas A&M · TX | 175 | 10.8% | 99% | 1120 |
| 6 | University of Southern Mississippi · MS | 153 | 6.1% | 99% | 1150 |
| 7 | Utah Valley University · UT | 90 | 2.1% | 99% | 1100 |
| 8 | Cal State Stanislaus · CA | 287 | 11.6% | 98% | 1080 |
| 9 | Cal State Monterey Bay · CA | 238 | 13.4% | 97% | 1130 |
| 10 | Texas Southern University · TX | 86 | 8.2% | 97% | 1010 |
| 11 | Missouri Southern State · MO | 85 | 12.7% | 97% | 1100 |
| 12 | Cal State East Bay · CA | 79 | 2.5% | 97% | 1080 |
| 13 | Idaho State University · ID | 78 | 6.6% | 97% | 1100 |
| 14 | University of Mississippi · MS | 59 | 1.5% | 97% | 1290 |
| 15 | Shepherd University · WV | 58 | 10.7% | 97% | 1120 |
Liberal Arts and General Studies by state
States with the most liberal arts and general studies graduates at tracked colleges.
| State | Colleges | Degrees (2023) | Share of field |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 32 | 4,057 | 14% |
| Texas | 26 | 2,768 | 9% |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1,524 | 5% |
| Virginia | 7 | 1,347 | 5% |
| Indiana | 17 | 1,211 | 4% |
| New York | 18 | 1,201 | 4% |
| Louisiana | 9 | 1,116 | 4% |
| Kentucky | 14 | 1,113 | 4% |
| Oklahoma | 12 | 1,068 | 4% |
| Florida | 16 | 909 | 3% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 868 | 3% |
| Missouri | 13 | 786 | 3% |
Every college for liberal arts and general studies
All 386 colleges awarding 10 or more bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and general studies in 2023, alphabetically. Each link opens that college's liberal arts and general studies page.
- Abilene Christian University 66
- Adams State University 16
- Alabama A&M University 39
- Alcorn State University 55
- Appalachian State University 21
- Arizona State University 73
- Arkansas State University 205
- Auburn University 10
- Augsburg University 10
- Aurora University 22
- Austin Peay State University 113
- Avila University 11
- Azusa Pacific University 54
- Ball State University 205
- Bellarmine University 22
- Belmont Abbey College 31
- Belmont University 16
- Bemidji State University 11
- Bethel University (IN) 14
- Bethune-Cookman University 64
- Binghamton University 21
- Black Hills State University 14
- Bluefield State University 27
- Bowling Green State University 37
- Bridgeport University 33
- Bridgewater College 17
- Brigham Young University 25
- Buffalo State University 83
- Cal Poly Humboldt 38
- Cal Poly Pomona 139
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 100
- Cal State Chico 203
- Cal State Dominguez Hills 170
- Cal State East Bay 79
- Cal State Fullerton 154
- Cal State Long Beach 293
- Cal State Los Angeles 143
- Cal State Monterey Bay 238
- Cal State Northridge 255
- Cal State San Bernardino 269
- Cal State San Marcos 146
- Cal State Stanislaus 287
- California Baptist University 34
- California Lutheran University 20
- California University of PA 121
- Cameron University 22
- Campbellsville University 35
- Carnegie Mellon University 36
- Central Missouri 84
- Central Oklahoma 217
- Chicago State University 23
- Chowan University 17
- Clarion University 121
- Clayton State University 69
- Coastal Carolina University 63
- College of Charleston 16
- College of Saint Mary (NE) 10
- Colorado Mesa University 46
- Colorado State Pueblo 11
- Colorado State University 61
- Columbia College (MO) 162
- Columbia International University 19
- Commonwealth U Bloomsburg 38
- Commonwealth U Lock Haven 38
- Commonwealth U Mansfield 38
- Concord University 69
- Concordia University Irvine 26
- Concordia University Texas 27
- Coppin State University 24
- Cornell University 18
- Cumberland University 11
- CUNY Staten Island 18
- Daemen University 83
- Dakota State University 18
- Delaware State University 70
- Delta State University 27
- DePaul University 26
- Doane University 20
- Drexel University 46
- East Carolina University 233
- East Tennessee State University 75
- East Texas A&M University 192
- Eastern Connecticut State 44
- Eastern Illinois University 88
- Eastern Kentucky University 155
- Eastern New Mexico University 160
- Edinboro University 121
- Emporia State University 38
- Endicott College 12
- Evergreen State College 359
- Fairmont State University 38
- Fayetteville State University 93
- Ferris State University 70
- Florida Atlantic University 104
- Florida College 14
- Florida International University 205
- Florida National University 19
- Florida State University 62
- Fort Hays State University 137
- Fort Valley State University 23
- Francis Marion University 10
- Fresno Pacific University 136
- Fresno State University 481
- Friends University 27
- Frostburg State University 48
- George Mason University 383
- Georgetown University 18
- Georgia Gwinnett College 13
- Georgia Southern University 134
- Glenville State University 30
- Governors State University 79
- Graceland University 11
- Grambling State University 42
- Grand Valley State University 92
- Grand View University 23
- Hampton University 22
- Hannibal-LaGrange University 11
- Harding University 24
- Harris-Stowe State University 21
- Harvard University 22
- Henderson State University 28
- Idaho State University 78
- Illinois Springfield 13
- Illinois State University 121
- Indiana State University 55
- Indiana U of Pennsylvania 35
- Indiana University 196
- Indiana University Indianapolis 192
- Indiana Wesleyan University 19
- Iowa State University 76
- IU East 43
- IU Kokomo 56
- IU Northwest 65
- IU South Bend 43
- IU Southeast 74
- Jackson State University 16
- Jacksonville State University 109
- James Madison University 134
- Johnson C. Smith University 24
- Kean University 15
- Kent State University 92
- Kentucky State University 25
- Kutztown University 12
- Lamar University 13
- Lander University 15
- Langston University 19
- Lee University 36
- Lewis-Clark State College 27
- Life University 41
- Lincoln University (MO) 16
- Lindsey Wilson University 13
- Longwood University 35
- Loyola Marymount University 13
- LSU Alexandria 90
- LSU Shreveport 62
- Lubbock Christian University 12
- Madonna University 11
- Marshall University 151
- Mary University 22
- Masters University 22
- Mayville State University 20
- McNeese State University 131
- Mercer University 10
- Mercy University 10
- Merrimack College 34
- Michigan State University 29
- Middle Tennessee State University 106
- Minnesota State Mankato 10
- Minot State University 21
- Mississippi State University 64
- Mississippi Valley State University 50
- Missouri Baptist University 17
- Missouri Southern State 85
- Missouri State University 65
- Missouri-St. Louis 40
- Molloy University 32
- Montana State Billings 31
- Montana State University 51
- Montclair State University 51
- Morehead State University 126
- Morgan State University 97
- Mount Mercy University 13
- Murray State University 111
- NC State University 29
- Nebraska-Kearney 44
- New College of Florida 56
- New Mexico Highlands 16
- New Mexico State University 159
- New York University 649
- North Carolina A&T State University 192
- North Carolina Central University 25
- North Georgia 83
- North Greenville University 27
- Northeastern State University 86
- Northern Arizona University 344
- Northern Illinois University 93
- Northern Kentucky University 56
- Northern New Mexico College 11
- Northwest Missouri State 46
- Northwest Nazarene University 10
- Northwestern Oklahoma State 19
- Northwestern State University 116
- Nova Southeastern University 25
- Oakland City University 23
- Oakland University 142
- Oakwood University 18
- Ohio State University 14
- Ohio University 41
- Oklahoma Christian University 32
- Oklahoma State University 261
- Oral Roberts University 38
- Oregon State University 46
- Pace University 21
- Palm Beach Atlantic University 17
- Parkside University (WI) 12
- Paul Quinn College 12
- Pittsburg State University 49
- Portland State University 174
- Prairie View A&M University 44
- Purdue Northwest 30
- Purdue University Fort Wayne 86
- Rider University 28
- Rochester Institute of Technology 107
- Rogers State University 13
- Rowan University 183
- Rutgers-Camden 34
- Sacramento State University 145
- Sacred Heart University 30
- Saginaw Valley State University 29
- Saint Leo University 11
- Saint Mary's College of California 13
- Saint Xavier University 21
- Salisbury University 45
- Sam Houston State University 41
- San Diego State University 268
- San Francisco State University 47
- San Jose State University 53
- SE Oklahoma State 115
- Seattle Pacific University 37
- Seattle University 22
- Seton Hall University 68
- Shawnee State University 12
- Shepherd University 58
- Simpson University 13
- South Dakota State University 42
- Southeast Missouri State University 116
- Southeastern Louisiana University 223
- Southeastern University 43
- Southern Arkansas University 28
- Southern Connecticut State 142
- Southern Illinois University 66
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 13
- Southern Methodist University 39
- Southern Nazarene University 36
- Southern New Hampshire University 1,524
- Southern University New Orleans 19
- Southern Utah University 150
- Spring Arbor University 13
- St. John Fisher University 20
- St. John's University 13
- Stephen F. Austin State University 12
- Stillman College 20
- Stockton University 193
- SUNY New Paltz 40
- SUNY Oswego 11
- SUNY Plattsburgh 19
- Syracuse University 11
- TAMU San Antonio 55
- TAMU Texarkana 18
- Tarleton State University 75
- Temple University 21
- Tennessee State University 12
- Tennessee Tech University 16
- Texas A&M Kingsville 132
- Texas Christian University 44
- Texas Southern University 86
- Texas State University 128
- Texas Tech University 223
- Texas Woman's University 213
- Thomas Aquinas College 107
- Thomas More University 26
- U of Arkansas Fort Smith 25
- U of Arkansas Monticello 22
- U of Indianapolis 24
- UC Riverside 83
- UM Dearborn 13
- UMass Lowell 78
- UNC Greensboro 18
- Union College 32
- Union College (KY) 21
- University of Alabama at Birmingham 93
- University of Arizona 59
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock 39
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 40
- University of Central Arkansas 42
- University of Central Florida 12
- University of Chicago 16
- University of Cincinnati 14
- University of Colorado 21
- University of Connecticut 119
- University of Delaware 13
- University of Georgia 13
- University of Hawaiʻi 83
- University of Houston 34
- University of Idaho 35
- University of Iowa 200
- University of Kansas 102
- University of Kentucky 73
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette 354
- University of Louisiana at Monroe 79
- University of Louisville 47
- University of Maine 42
- University of Massachusetts Amherst 67
- University of Memphis 67
- University of Miami 29
- University of Michigan 58
- University of Mississippi 59
- University of Missouri-Kansas City 112
- University of Nebraska Omaha 338
- University of Nevada, Reno 62
- University of New Mexico 158
- University of North Carolina 15
- University of North Dakota 97
- University of North Florida 25
- University of North Texas 365
- University of Northern Iowa 59
- University of Notre Dame 29
- University of Oklahoma 210
- University of Pennsylvania 42
- University of Pittsburgh 36
- University of San Diego 15
- University of Scranton 20
- University of South Carolina 123
- University of South Dakota 38
- University of South Florida 210
- University of Southern Indiana 57
- University of Southern Mississippi 153
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 17
- University of Texas at Arlington 237
- University of Texas at Austin 293
- University of Texas at San Antonio 180
- University of the Cumberlands 266
- University of the Southwest 15
- University of Toledo 101
- University of Vermont 11
- University of Virginia 705
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 119
- University of Wyoming 44
- USC Beaufort 17
- USC Upstate 55
- UT Southern 20
- Utah State University 48
- Utah Valley University 90
- Utica University 13
- UVA Wise 51
- UW-Green Bay 119
- UW-La Crosse 66
- UW-Oshkosh 20
- UW-Platteville 10
- UW-Whitewater 32
- Valdosta State University 102
- Valley City State University 10
- Villanova University 26
- Washington Adventist University 11
- Washington State University 79
- Wayland Baptist University 52
- Weber State University 28
- Wesleyan University 10
- West Chester University 117
- West Florida 13
- West Texas A&M 175
- West Virginia University 141
- Western Illinois University 135
- Western Kentucky University 137
- Western Washington University 10
- Westmont College 13
- Wichita State University 81
- William Carey University 26
- William Paterson University 67
- Williams Baptist University 28
- Wilmington University (DE) 63
- Winston-Salem State University 58
- WV State University 37
- Xavier University 56
- Yale University 21
- Youngstown State University 138
CollegeCalcAI. "Colleges that graduate the most liberal arts and general studies majors." 2026. https://collegecalcai.com/majors/liberal-arts
Free to cite and reuse with attribution and a link.
<a href="https://collegecalcai.com/majors/liberal-arts?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=statcard" style="display:inline-block;padding:16px 20px;border:1px solid #E5E9F0;border-radius:14px;text-decoration:none;font-family:system-ui,sans-serif;background:#fff"><span style="display:block;font-size:30px;font-weight:800;color:#0F766E;line-height:1">29,746</span><span style="display:block;margin-top:6px;font-size:13px;color:#475569">liberal arts and general studies bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023 across 386 U.S. colleges</span><span style="display:block;margin-top:8px;font-size:11px;color:#94A3B8">Source: CollegeCalcAI</span></a>
Questions about liberal arts and general studies colleges
Which colleges graduate the most liberal arts and general studies majors?
By bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023, the largest programs among tracked colleges are Southern New Hampshire University (1,524), University of Virginia (705), New York University (649), Fresno State University (481), George Mason University (383). The full ranking of 386 colleges is on this page, with each school's share of graduates and acceptance rate.
How many students major in liberal arts and general studies?
29,746 students earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and general studies at the 386 tracked colleges in 2023, 1.9% of all bachelor's degrees at those schools. Across all 2,440 U.S. institutions reporting to IPEDS, the field is 1.9% of bachelor's degrees.
Is liberal arts and general studies a competitive major?
Colleges publish one acceptance rate for the whole school, not per major, so there is no official admit rate for liberal arts and general studies. The median acceptance rate among the 386 colleges awarding it is 81%; the most selective (University of Pennsylvania, 5%) and the most accessible (Southern New Hampshire University, 100%) both graduate substantial numbers in the field. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies a published per-major adjustment for "English / Humanities" on top of each school's own rate, so your estimate reflects the major you declare.
What share of liberal arts and general studies graduates are women?
64% of liberal arts and general studies bachelor's graduates at tracked colleges were women in 2023 (degree-weighted across 386 colleges, IPEDS completions by sex).
Where is liberal arts and general studies the biggest part of campus?
Measured as a share of all graduates, liberal arts and general studies is most concentrated at Thomas Aquinas College (100% of graduates), Evergreen State College (82.2% of graduates), New College of Florida (43.1% of graduates), among colleges awarding at least 50 degrees in the field.
Other fields
Every field with its own hub, ranked by degrees awarded.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series), joined to CollegeCalcAI's admissions dataset. Built 2026-09-19. Download: CSV of every college in this field. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.