15 Best Liberal Arts Degree Programs & Schools 

The degree in liberal arts is very powerful. However, students selected for these grades face a series of difficult questions. What will they study in specialization?  

Are there campus-based and online liberal arts degree programs? Can free arts students go to graduate school? This guide provides answers to these questions and more, anticipating the concerns that students may have during and after their education.

However, the schools in our list will groom you using the best curriculum that will build you into an exceptional art student.

Meanwhile, let’s remind you why a career in art is worth it, as well as guide you to selecting the best schools, before disclosing our top Best Liberal Arts Degree Programs & Schools.

What is a Liberal Arts Degree

A Liberal Arts Degree is an academic program that provides a comprehensive overview of humanities-related classes. This general degree provides a strong background for the student to work in a variety of fields. Keep reading to learn why a degree in liberal arts is one of the best academic programs.

However, Choosing a liberal arts program give students the chance to tailor their education to reflect their interests and goals.

This diverse degree provides a comprehensive overview of the humanities, social and natural sciences, mathematics, and fine arts.

Among the subjects found in this interdisciplinary curriculum are literature, English language, visual, and performing arts.

Also with classical or modern foreign languages, sociology, anthropology, and world cultures. Beyond coursework in specific topics, students can master the critical skills of research, scholarly writing, oral communication, and reasoning. Colleges and universities offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in this major.

Studying For Online Liberal Arts Degrees

Free online art schools are available for busy students who can not attend classes on campus due to family and work obligations. The degree programs are offered from associate levels to doctorates through the virtual semester.

At the graduate level, students may decide to announce a specialized specialization in liberal arts, with deeper courses in selected areas ranging from history to education, women’s studies, and music.

Online liberal arts degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels allow students to progress through coursework at their own pace. Using asynchronous technology, students can access lectures, assignments, exams and collaborative projects anytime from their computers.

While professors often have specific due dates for submitting work, students can set their own schedule as they proceed through course materials. Also, rewinding recorded lectures to catch tricky concepts.

There are plenty of opportunities for peer and instructor interactions via chat, email, streaming multimedia presentations, voice- and video-conferencing tools.

What are the Benefits of a Degree in Liberal Arts?

According to Forbes, one of the most respected business magazines, obtaining a degree in liberal arts is an excellent option to obtain a certificate. Of course, there are great benefits to obtain a degree in science, business or related technology. Many business functions require a certain degree of freedom, such as marketing or statistics.

However, a certificate in Free Arts shows potential HR managers that the candidate for this position is well prepared and ready to adapt to the 21st century. Also, Keep in mind that a degree in liberal arts allows a student to explore a variety of classes.

Therefore, a liberal arts student can take business or science-related courses, but also humanities courses that challenge their worldview and help them grow as a person.

What are the Liberal Arts’ Academic Areas?

Free art programs usually focus on specific academic areas. For example, languages ​​and linguistics are an area of ​​the liberal arts that teaches students to become interpreters, classical translators, and historical linguists.

On the other hand, literature is one of the most popular areas of the liberal arts. Therefore, students will receive a degree in literature, such as American or British literature, if they want to become teachers.

Liberal arts students can also focus on music, sculpture, fine arts and performing arts. However, the field of unique philosophy is the liberal arts degree that students will follow if they wish to work in institutions of higher education.

Social science is the academic domain of the free arts. They include history, sociology, geography, and political science. Finally, the free arts include religion and spirituality.

What are the Typical Courses in a Liberal Arts Program?

A degree in liberal arts is available in both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree. However, both programs will require students to take basic lessons in English, fine arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Most programs require students to take courses that cover the previous standard academic areas. However, free arts students can enjoy a wide range of unique and wonderful courses.

For example, these courses may include multicultural perspectives, personal ethics, and historical contexts in literature and the environment.

What are Possible Careers with a Degree in Liberal Arts?

There are endless career possibilities for students with a liberal arts degree. For example, they can work as an editor, journalist, poster or speechwriter. They can also work in libraries, museums, non-profit organizations, and social services departments.

Students who wish to work as ministers or in a religious institution may find a liberal arts degree. Finally, there are also political functions or those related to the government, such as lobbies, city plans, or legislative assistants.

15 Best Liberal Arts Degree Programs & Schools 2023

Selection Criteria

For this ranking, we in this forum focused on public and private (non-profit) colleges and universities that offer liberal arts degrees online. Because the focus of this list is on affordability, we only considered programs with average tuition rates of $20,000/year or less.

For public schools, we calculated the average value of their in-state and out-of-state rates.

Ranking Factors

After compiling a list of all the colleges that offer online liberal arts studies degrees and meet the above criteria, we then collected data in three categories, these categories include:

• Program Popularity: How many undergraduates choose to earn their degree in liberal arts over a more traditional major? To find out, we looked at both the number of students who earned their bachelor’s degree in liberal arts in the most recent school year as well as the percentage of all bachelor’s degree graduates that that number represents.
• Overall Online Program Strength: How many online bachelor’s degrees does the school offer? Having more programs available online means more course options (as well as resources and experienced faculty) for liberal arts students who want to earn their degree at a distance.
• Affordability: What is the average annual cost of attendance?

After collecting and sorting all the information, we ranked the candidates according to their performance in each area. Finally, we summed up the results and gave each school a final score using a curve so that the top-scoring program earned even 100 points.

Here is the list of the 15 Best Liberal Arts Degree

• University of North Carolina-Greensboro
• Troy University
• Antioch University
• Portland State University
• California University of Pennsylvania
• The University of Illinois at Springfield
• Northern Arizona University
• Utah State University
• William Paterson University of New Jersey
• Jacksonville State University
• Oklahoma State University
• The Northwestern State University of Louisiana
• Framingham State University
• University of Missouri-St Louis
• The University of Southern Maine

#1 University of North Carolina-Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has a good liberal administration program that balances broad-based learning and professional development.

The curriculum, designed specifically for adults with previous college credits, aims to take advantage of their past experiences by “increasing their career skills and opportunities.”

Also, to begin, you will choose one of the three subjects: humanities, social sciences or professional studies, according to your background and professional objectives.

From there, you will have no problem completing these online undergraduate studies in liberal studies with services such as seven-week accelerated courses. Also, with year-round learning opportunities, and asynchronous courses.

The school also awards Average Tuition & Fees worth $14,830/yr. This is also one of the best liberal arts degree.

For further information click the Program Link.

#2 Troy University

The affordable online liberal arts degree at the University of Troy helps students “develop critical thinking. Also, with communication and high-level analytical skills needed for the current job market,” a program of solid skills. As such, the curriculum begins by establishing disciplines in important concepts of the social sciences, from global politics to general psychology.

It will also take specific chapters designed to improve your critical thinking skills (such as “Critical Research Methods” and “Critical Theory”) before beginning electives. This is also one of the best liberal arts degrees, and the school also award Average Tuition & Fees worth $12,484/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#3 Antioch University

The University of Antioquia challenges applicants for their online liberal arts degree to “find a degree that matches their future.” Fortunately, this is an easy task, since Antioch has designed the Online Liberal Studies Certificate to be “compatible with almost any adult student.”

The next disciplines begin their studies choosing one of the three areas of focus: literature, creative writing, leadership for service and change or individual studies. The latter is the most flexible option and comes with a longer list of focus areas.

Some focus on professionalism (such as health care management and human resource management). However, others offer greater freedom both in courses and professional opportunities (eg, human development and humanities).

The school also award Average Tuition & Fees worth $12,825/yr, and it is also one of the best liberal arts degree.

For further information click the Program Link.

#4 Portland State University

Some free arts programs try to guide student learning by asking them to choose the focus or choose classes in a particular set of disciplines. But college students looking for online liberal arts degrees in the state of Portland have different addresses.

In other words, all you have to do is get at least 81 credit hours. This hour includes in Arts, Literature, Science and/or Social Sciences courses. Whether you want to take one or three lessons, you will work with an academic advisor to develop a unique curriculum.

This is also one of the best liberal arts degrees, and the school award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $17,457/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#5 California University of Pennsylvania

You will be under intense pressure to find a higher degree of open liberal studies online program at the University of California, Pennsylvania. With few restrictions in the main courses, this program allows you to take lessons not only in the humanities and social sciences but also in the natural sciences.

In fact, you can choose your main classes from 30 different disciplines. Even if you are interested in studying Arabic, mathematics, economics or environmental science.

Although you will get more than 80 hours of credit in the main and optional classes, you are only allowed to get a maximum of 24 with the same course prefix, a rule that guarantees that your learning is as broad as it is deep.

The school also award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $13,083/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#6 The University of Illinois at Springfield

It may be a large state school, but UIS’s liberal studies program will give you the experience of being enrolled at a small, private liberal arts college. In the true spirit of progressive thinking, this accredited online liberal arts degree requires students to pick classes across seven unique categories: art, heritage, identity, institutions, language, nature, and work.

Not only that, but you’ll have to pick a minor from a select list of options. Also, including typical liberal arts choices like Philosophy and Women and Gender Studies.

For the remainder of your coursework, you’ll get to work with an advisor to pick classes that meet your needs – you can even earn credit for service learning and independent studies.

The school also awards an Average Tuition & Fees worth $14,824/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#7 Northern Arizona University

Most online schools aim to provide convenience and accessibility. But Northern Arizona University goes above and beyond in its efforts to accommodate nontraditional learners.

For starters, its affordable online BA in Liberal Studies features a flat-rate fee that allows you to take as many courses as you want over a six-month period for one low tuition rate.

Plus, the program uses a “competency-based curriculum” that lets you progress in accordance with your understanding. Not by some preset timetable.

And like most liberal studies programs, the curriculum covers a wide range of courses. Also, with an emphasis on “history, literature, politics, philosophy, and art” – giving you a versatile knowledge base that you can apply to any number of careers.

This is also one of the best liberal arts degrees, and the school award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $13,644/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#8 Utah State University

While many online liberal arts degrees combine courses across the academic spectrum, the Utah degree focuses “primarily on social science, humanities, and arts subjects.” The goal is to help students develop strong analytical and monetary thinking skills by understanding cultural evolution, from the development of civilization to the history of political institutions.

As such, the degree in online liberal arts studies includes specific course requirements in areas such as foreign language, moral inquiry, and communication. However, you will also have the flexibility to follow topics outside of these areas. In fact, many of the major specialties, minors, and degrees are pursuing a degree in liberal arts.

The school also award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $13,951/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#9 William Paterson University of New Jersey

The Multifunctional Liberal Studies Program at William Patterson University should attract a wide range of students. In addition to adult students, remittances and military veterans, the program is also suitable for traditional college students seeking multidisciplinary education.

As a pioneer in the undergraduate program of Online Liberal Studies, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in two academic fields and to understand the “practical and intellectual links” between them.

In addition, WPU requires BLS students to complete internal training and high-level experience as a means to develop an educational context in their context. Finally, the curriculum includes optional tracks in psychology and sociology, which makes this a particularly strong option for college students seeking work in any of these areas.

The school also awards an Average Tuition & Fees worth $16,823/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#10 Jacksonville State University

As a student in the online liberal arts degree program in Jacksonville, you will enjoy “great freedom” when designing your own course. In fact, once you meet your general study requirements, you will have very few entries in the courses you may study.

The only conditions are to complete at least 36 hours of upper-level classes. The remaining 24 credits that you can obtain from any optional class adapted to your “interests, abilities and professional objectives”.

This also makes it easier for you to get credit for any conversion courses you can bring from other universities.

The school also award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $14,655/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#11 Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University has designed a multidisciplinary studies program that helps “expand students’. This design helps the student’s perceptions of themselves and the world.”

Aiming to imbue majors with a global perspective and diverse skills. The curriculum also combines classes in history and foreign language with others in natural science and even “inclusion leadership.”

What’s more, OSU provides a unique opportunity for you to earn a cheap online BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Pre-Law.

This degree combines general liberal arts coursework (which is known to help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills – crucial for getting through law school) with targeted classes in legal studies.

This is also one of the best liberal arts degrees, and the school award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $16,257/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#12 Northwestern State University of Louisiana

At one point, teachers at Northwestern State University in Louisiana realized that the school offered “outstanding academic education” in the liberal arts, such as social science, language, and communication.

Therefore, it was logical to create an opportunity for university students to specialize directly in liberal studies.

The result was also a liberal arts degree, a large-scale program that combines courses from five different sections. Although most schools that have obtained a free online degree offer similar courses, the NSU goes further by providing optional concentrations.

These multidisciplinary concentrations cover unique areas of study, such as entertainment technology, social problems, and archeology.

This is also one of the best liberal arts degrees, and the school award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $13,316/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#13 Framingham State University

The goal of Framingham State’s liberal studies program is less about making use of transfer credits and more. This is also about giving students the freedom to design their own unique curriculum.

After enrolling in this affordable online BA in Liberal Studies program, you’ll get to pick how to earn your degree. This is by pursuing one or more areas in-depth or by picking a broad spectrum of courses across several disciplines.

And just because the program doesn’t prioritize transfer credits doesn’t mean it’s not friendly to nontraditional learners. In fact, FSU will award “prior learning assessment” credit for a number of reasons, including past employment, military or community service, independent learning, or even educational travel.

The school also award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $12,960/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#14 University of Missouri-St Louis

You shouldn’t have any trouble completing your degree online if you attend the University of Missouri in St. Louis. That’s because the school offers a whopping 150 courses through distance education.

These include both general education and upper-level classes, which gives majors in UMSL’s accredited online liberal studies degree program lots of choices in how to complete their studies.

Plus, you’ll get to pick from nearly a dozen different “areas of concentration.” This cover everything from Advertising and Criminology to Media Studies and Sociology. And if you happen to live locally, you can also take advantage of in-person classes offered at a variety of area community colleges.

The school also award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $18,801/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

#15 University of Southern Maine

The main objective of the University of Southern Maine to offer an online liberal arts degree is to provide an “effective way to complete the certificate”.

The curriculum is designed with maximum flexibility so you can get the most out of your conversion balances. This makes it easier to earn your degree while preparing for a wide range of potential jobs.

Students who enroll in an online degree in liberal studies can transfer courses of any specialty in liberal arts. They will complete with a highly humanistic curriculum. For example, the required courses include classes in the Humanities and Humanities Presentation, as well as electives in philosophy, English, and history.

This is also one of the best liberal arts degrees, and the school award an Average Tuition & Fees worth $14,616/yr.

For further information click the Program Link.

Frequently Asked Questions

EDITORS RECOMMENDATION:

• Redhead Scholarship | USA Scholarships
• 15 USA Scholarships for Cameroonians
• Top 10 USA Scholarships for Zimbabwe Students
• 20 USA Scholarships for Zambian Students
• The Kaplan/ThanksUSA Scholarships
• 30 scholarships for Portuguese students Abroad UK, USA and Canada
• Wells Fargo Scholarships for Students in the USA