100 Best colleges for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. A graph of 295M citations received by 10.5M academic papers made by 1,728 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

2. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

3. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

5. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

6. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

7. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

8. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#9 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

9. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#10 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

10. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#11 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

11. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#12 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#13 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

13. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#14 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

14. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#15 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

15. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#17 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

16. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#18 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

17. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#19 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

18. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#20 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

19. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#21 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

20. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#22 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

21. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#23 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

22. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#24 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

23. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#25 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

24. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#26 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

25. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#27 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

26. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#28 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

27. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#30 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

28. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#31 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

29. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#32 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

30. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#33 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

31. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#34 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

32. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#35 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

33. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#36 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

34. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#37 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

35. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#38 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

36. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#40 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

37. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#42 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

38. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#43 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

39. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#44 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

40. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#45 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

41. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#46 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $26,680

42. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#48 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

43. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#49 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

44. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#52 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

45. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#53 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

46. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#54 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

47. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#55 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

48. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#58 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

49. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#59 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

50. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#60 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,775

51. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#61 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

52. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#62 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,566

53. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#63 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

54. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#64 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

55. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#66 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

56. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#68 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

57. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#69 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

58. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#70 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

59. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#71 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

60. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#72 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,723

61. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#73 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

62. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#74 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

63. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#76 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

64. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#77 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

65. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#78 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

66. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#79 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

67. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#80 in North America

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,970

68. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#81 in North America

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

69. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#82 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

70. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#83 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

71. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#84 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

72. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#85 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $20,755
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $59,192

73. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#86 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

74. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#87 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

75. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#89 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

76. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#90 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $50,263

77. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#91 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Net Price: $11,830
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,182

78. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#92 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

79. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#93 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

80. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#94 in North America

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,479

81. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#95 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

82. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#96 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

83. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#97 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

84. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#98 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

85. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#99 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

86. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#100 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

87. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#102 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 84%

88. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#103 in North America

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

89. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#104 in North America

#231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,651

90. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#106 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,208

91. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#107 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

92. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#108 in North America

#239 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,610
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1900

93. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#109 in North America

#241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1488
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,559

94. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#110 in North America

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

95. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#112 in North America

#249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,280

96. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#113 in North America

#251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $9,260
Enrollment: 34,292

97. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#114 in North America

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

98. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#115 in North America

#257 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $21,202
Enrollment: 19,478

99. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#116 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

100. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#117 in North America

#267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

The best cities to study Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Stanford, Berkeley, and Ann Arbor.