collageAs a student preparing or applying for university, certain factors should be taken into consideration. These include tuition, housing, acceptance rate, school ranking, graduation rate, etc. These factors play a significant role in determining how well you will fit into the school. Now, if you are looking to apply to the best liberal arts colleges in the south, how would you know that?
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the South
Ranking Methodology:
To determine the best liberal arts colleges, we first made a list of every liberal arts school in the South. We considered colleges in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Then, we narrowed our list of schools down to the top 30 by considering such factors as:
- national and international rankings
- notable faculty and alumni
- freshman retention rates
- comprehensive curriculum
- historical significance
- 20-year Return on Investment (ROI), as determined by PayScale
Agnes Scott College
Decatur, Georgia
Just as the Northeast has its Seven Sisters consortium, so too does the South. One such southern sister is Agnes Scott College, located in Decatur, Georgia. All students at this women’s college, regardless of major, complete the same liberal arts core curriculum. Besides the usual variety of liberal arts core classes, this curriculum also, over four years, requires students to:
- complete a leadership immersion
- work closely with a faculty advisor
- create a digital portfolio of their work
Agnes Scott’s rigorous academics have produced more than:
- 30 Fulbright Scholars
- two Marshall Scholars
- two Goldwater Scholars
- a Truman Scholar.
Austin College
Sherman, Texas
Located about 60 miles north of Dallas, Austin College is a private liberal arts school affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Students complete a humanities-heavy core curriculum, then choose from more than 35 majors and pre-professional programs. To supplement the liberal arts education, Austin encourages off-campus and study abroad opportunities, particularly during a special three-week January Term. Students are required to participate in at least three January Terms over the course of their studies. They can choose to take:
- an on-campus intensive
- study abroad
- study off-campus at a variety of pre-determined locations.
Bellarmine University
Louisville, Kentucky
Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky is a private Catholic university with a strong reputation in the liberal arts. Students can choose from more than 50 majors from seven colleges and schools, including:
- the arts and sciences
- business
- communication
- education
- health sciences.
Bellarmine is consistently ranked among the best universities in the country, liberal arts and otherwise, by such publications as Forbes, U.S. News & World Report (the 17th best university in the South), and Washington Monthly.
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee
Belmont University is Tennessee’s 2nd largest private university (after Vanderbilt), and one of the Volunteer State’s best liberal arts colleges. Belmont offers more than 75 majors through seven colleges, including a College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Belmont’s core curriculum has been recognized as one of the most innovative colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report, which also ranked the school as the 6th best college in the South.
Berea College
Berea, Kentucky
Founded in 1855, Berea College is unique among the schools on our list. It’s one of the best liberal arts colleges in the South. It’s also a working college where students pay little or no tuition in exchange for at least 10 hours of on-campus work per week. Students have nearly 30 choices of majors and can supplement their education through participation in more than 70 on-campus organizations. Berea is ranked among the best colleges in the country by such publications as:
- U.S. News & World Report (61st best liberal arts college in the nation)
- Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (63rd best value liberal arts college)
- Washington Monthly (3rd best liberal arts college in the nation).
Birmingham-Southern College
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham-Southern College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college prides itself on its “new” curriculum, which guides students through a series of experiential learning opportunities. This includes an entire term called the January Exploration Term. During this four-week period, students can work on a project, take part in faculty-sponsored research, or conduct independent studies either on campus or abroad. This unique approach certainly seems to have paid off. The college is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Centre College
Danville, Kentucky
Centre College is a private liberal arts college located in Danville, Kentucky. This selective and top-ranked school has produced more than 70% of Rhodes Scholars to come out of Kentucky. This is a huge accomplishment considering the Bluegrass State is also home to powerhouses like the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. After completing a traditional and well-rounded core curriculum, Centre students can choose from 27 majors and 28 minors. Centre has been included on numerous lists of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation, including:
- Forbes
- U.S. News & World Report (46th best liberal arts college)
- Washington Monthly.
Christendom College
Front Royal, Virginia
Christendom College is a liberal arts school associated with the Catholic Church. The college does not accept federal funding. This is good news if you’re interested in an education that doesn’t have to answer to the (secular) government when it comes to issues relating to the curriculum. Students complete a well-rounded core curriculum before choosing from a list of seven possible majors:
- Classical and Early Christian Studies
- English Language and Literature
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science and Economics
- Mathematics
- Theology
Students wishing to supplement their liberal arts education can participate in Christendom’s unique Rome Program, during which students travel to Italy for a semester in Italian, art and architecture, and culture.
Davidson College
Davidson, North Carolina
“Let learning be cherished” is the motto of Davidson College. That’s a perfect summary of what it means to pursue an education in the liberal arts. Davidson, a private school in North Carolina, offers students the choice of 26 majors, plus a bevy of interdisciplinary studies and minors. Davidson has been included in a slew of university rankings by such publications as:
- U.S. News & World Report (10th best liberal arts college in the nation)
- Forbes (25th best college in the nation; 1st best college in the South)
- The Princeton Review (“Best Overall Academic Experience for Undergraduates”).
Eckerd College
St. Petersburg, Florida
Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida is a great option for students looking for both a solid liberal arts curriculum and some of the “harder to find” majors such as marine science, environmental studies, international business, and creative writing. Eckerd prides itself on the quality experiences it provides its students. For example, Eckerd faculty members are themselves active scholars, and often include undergraduate students in research or other projects. Eckerd was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 135th best liberal arts college in the country. It was also included in Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives.
Furman University
Greenville, South Carolina
Furman University is the 51st best liberal arts college in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. Mentioned in nearly every ranking where it’s included is Furman’s unique approach to a liberal arts education. This approach promotes first-hand experiences and problem solving through project-oriented and experience-based education. The approach, it seems to be working. The Daily Beast called Furman the 2nd most rigorous college in America. The Social Science Research Network named it as one of the top choices for high-achieving students.
Hendrix College
Conway, Arkansas
Hendrix College, located in Conway, Arkansas, is a private liberal arts college that was founded by the United Methodist Church. Though the school is still loosely associated with the Methodists, its curriculum is secular and focused only on offering one of the best liberal arts educations in the country. Hendrix’s core curriculum includes the traditional classes in the humanities. It also includes lots of STEM disciplines — a variation on the traditional that contributed to Hendrix being named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the most innovative colleges.
Hollins University
Roanoke, Virginia
Hollins University of Roanoke, Virginia can trace its roots back to 1842, making it one of the oldest all-women’s universities in the United States. Hollins offers its students a solid liberal arts curriculum and a reputation as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country, according to all of the major publications. Most notably, however, is Hollins’ stellar writing program, which has produced a number of celebrated writers and authors, including Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard.
Millsaps College
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi is home to Millsaps College, a small liberal arts college loosely affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Its secular curriculum requires students to take a variety of courses in the liberal arts, compile a portfolio of written work, and pass exams both oral and written before graduation. Millsaps is consistently ranked among the best colleges in America by publications like:
- U.S. News & World Report
- The Princeton Review
- Washington Monthly
- Fiske
Millsaps was also one of only 40 schools included in Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives.
Presbyterian College
Clinton, South Carolina
Presbyterian College, located in Clinton, South Carolina, is a private liberal arts college associated with the Presbyterian Church. Students at PC, as it’s commonly known, can pursue Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 30 courses of study plus nine pre-professional programs such as Pre-Law or Pre-Pharmacy. The school offers a solid liberal arts core curriculum, highlighted by small classes. The faculty that include an amazing six Carnegie/CASE South Carolina Professor of the Year Award winners.
Randolph College
Lynchburg, Virginia
Randolph College, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, is a top liberal arts school that prides itself on its ability to produce alumni well prepared for success in a global environment. Students pursue their choice of the more than 35 majors and pre-professional programs. They are also encouraged to participate in unique study abroad programs such as the program Randolph College Abroad: The World in Britain, at England’s University of Reading.
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, Virginia
Not to be confused with Randolph College, which also makes our list and is located nearby, Randolph-Macon College is another of the best liberal arts colleges in the South. The school was founded in 1830, and offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 38 subjects. Like more and more liberal arts colleges, Randolph-Macon College operates a 4-1-4 calendar. In addition to two standard semesters, students spend a short January term taking an intensive course, studying abroad, or conducting research.
Rhodes College
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee is home to Rhodes College, one of the best liberal arts colleges in the South. Though it was once associated with the Presbyterian Church, today it’s known for a secular core curriculum firmly grounded in the humanities and liberal arts. The college prides itself on providing small classes in which students can learn. Consistent with the idea that a liberal arts education prepares students well for any career path, 95% of Rhodes students are accepted to the law or business school of their choice. Acceptance into medical school is nearly twice the national average.
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia
Roanoke College, located in Salem, Virginia, is a top option for students who are determined to receive both a well-rounded liberal arts education and training in the sciences. The college offers students more than 35 choices of majors and pre-professional programs, including :
- dentistry
- engineering
- medicine
- nursing
- pharmacy
- veterinary medicine
In 2014, U.S. News & World Report declared Roanoke College to be the 2nd best “up-and-coming” liberal arts school in the country. Since then, the college has consistently been ranked one of the best in the nation.
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
U.S. News & World Report’s second best university in the South, Rollins College, is a great liberal arts college located in beautiful Winter Park, Florida. Students can choose from more than 30 unique majors that range from biochemistry to Caribbean studies, plus a unique M.B.A. program and myriad minor options. Rollins’ top-notch liberal arts curriculum has made it one of the best producers of Fulbright Scholars, according to the college’s website.
Salem College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Founded in 1772 as a primary school, Salem College is today one of the best liberal arts colleges in the South. The all women’s institution offers students plenty of options when it comes to majors and minors, plus the chance to cross register at nearby Wake Forest University. Salem is especially well known for its teaching program and its Salem College Center for Women Writers, which hosts dozens of workshops, lectures, and contests each year.
Sewanee — University of the South
Sewanee, Tennessee
Sewanee: The University of the South is a private college with a long history of excellence in the liberal arts. Sewanee is especially well known for its programs in creative writing and literature. It’s home to The Sewanee Review, the longest-running literary magazine in the country. In addition to many choices for majors within the liberal arts, Sewanee students can earn a master’s degree in American Literature or Creative Writing from the School of Letters. Sewanee has been ranked as one of the best colleges in the United States by such publications as Forbes and U.S. News & World Report.
Southwestern University
Georgetown, Texas
Texas’s oldest university also happens to be one of the best liberal arts colleges in the South. It was chartered in 1840. Southwestern University in Georgetown offers more than 40 degrees, plus a handful of pre-professional programs. In addition to a strong liberal arts curriculum, Southwestern students have plenty of opportunity to take part in research. In fact, the university hosts two academic exhibitions each year to show off student research projects, including the prestigious Creative Works Symposium. Southwestern has been included on a number of “best of” lists, including Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives.
Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
Not only Is Spelman College one of the best liberal arts schools in the country, it is also one of the oldest private historically black liberal arts colleges for women. Spelman enjoys a long resume of accomplishments. It is one of the world’s most successful producers of Truman and Fulbright Scholars. Of all universities in the U.S., it has the second highest number of African-American graduates who go on to medical school. Spelman also ranks as the top choice of school for African-American women majoring in STEM fields. Forbes and The Princeton Review have both included Spelman on their lists of the best colleges in America.
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, Virginia
Despite some tough financial challenges that threatened to close its doors in 2015, Sweet Briar College has managed to maintain its reputation of excellence and is still one of the best liberal arts colleges in America. Undergraduate students have more than 50 options when it comes to choosing a major, including a degree in Liberal Studies. Sweet Briar has been included on a number of national rankings by publications such as:
- The Princeton Review
- Forbes
- The Washington Post
- U.S. News & World Report.
Transylvania University
Lexington, Kentucky
No doubt due to the excellent liberal arts education it provides, Transylvania University has produced:
- two U.S. vice presidents
- 151 members of Congress
- 36 U.S. governors
- 34 U.S. ambassadors
- two Supreme Court justices
Transylvania students have 38 majors to choose from, including quite a few options within the fields of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Natural Sciences. The university is ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly, and among the best national universities by Forbes.
University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
University of Richmond, located in Richmond, Virginia, is a private liberal arts college comprised of five schools:
- the School of Arts and Sciences
- the School of Professional & Continuing Studies
- School of Business,
- School of Leadership Studies
- the School of Law
Regardless of school or chosen major, all students must complete a liberal arts core curriculum which includes:
- a freshman seminar
- a foreign language
- a wellness class
- an expository writing class
- one class each in six specific fields of study.
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks University of Richmond among the best liberal arts colleges in the country, as does Forbes, SmartMoney, BusinessWeek, and Time.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia
Washington and Lee University is named after two of the most respected Americans in history — George Washington and Robert E. Lee. So perhaps it’s fitting that the university itself also happens to be one of the most respected in academics. W&L students can choose from 40 undergraduate majors ranging from Renaissance Studies to Neuroscience. Washington and Lee has been included on a number of “best of” lists including those by:
- Forbes (28th best university in the nation)
- Washington Monthly (7th best liberal arts college)
- The Princeton Review.
Wesleyan College
Macon, Georgia
Wesleyan College, located in Macon, Georgia, was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. Its 700+ students have the choice of studying some 30 majors, 33 minors, and a handful of pre-professional programs. The Princeton Review consistently ranks Wesleyan among its “Best 361 Colleges,” while Forbes has repeatedly included the college in its annual list of the best college buys.
Wofford College
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Wofford College is a liberal arts college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Its top-notch curriculum is taught by an accomplished faculty, 92% of whom have a doctorate or higher in their field. Students at Wofford can choose from more than 25 majors within the liberal arts. They are also encouraged to take part in unique study abroad opportunities. Wofford has steadily been climbing U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best liberal arts colleges. It is currently ranked the 72nd best.
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