10 Best Online Liberal Arts Colleges & Degree Programs

Here are the best schools in the U.S. that offer liberal arts degree programs.

1. University of Florida

The University of Florida offers several four-year online liberal arts degree programs that help remove barriers to success for determined students. Liberal arts programs offered include:

• anthropology
• criminology
• psychology
• sociology

It ranked number one in the U.S. News & World Report for best online programs. Here's why:

• 100% online
• Tuition is $129.18 per credit for in-state residents and $212.71 for non-residents.
• Veterans and active-duty service members receive several benefits including one free class.
• Grandparents of eligible students could attend tuition free.

2. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati designed its programs to meet the needs of working professionals. Some of the liberal arts degree programs offered include:

• communication
• organizational leadership
• professional studies

Classes are flexible with the same academic rigor as traditional classrooms. Here's how they do it:

• Programs are 100% online.
• Tuition is set at a consistent rate for up to five years.
• Per semester tuition rate for non-residents is $6,768 and $6,588 for residents.

3. Oregon State University

Oregon State University has over 150 years in business and offers over 100 online and hybrid degree programs. Thirteen of those programs are in the liberal arts and humanities department. They include:

• contemporary music industry
• digital communication arts
• French, German, and Spanish
• history
• liberal studies
• women, gender, and sexuality studies

In addition to the interesting liberal arts programs, other benefits include:

• 100% online
• online programs ranked eighth in the nation
• tuition: $350 per credit

4. University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

The University of Wisconsin at Whitewater offers a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies that emphasize skills across various disciplines such as:

• arts and humanities
• communication
• research
• social sciences
• writing

It was ranked as the forty-fourth best online bachelor's program by the U.S. News & World Report in 2022. But here's why we rank it higher:

• 100% online with no requirements to come to campus
• taught by nationally recognized instructors
• tuition for the 2023/2024 year: $395 per credit regardless of residence

5. Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers bachelor's degrees in several interesting liberal arts fields including:

• African and African American studies
• anthropology
• film and media studies
• gender, women, and sexuality studies
• religious studies-religion, culture, and public life

There are several more liberal arts and sciences degrees to choose from. Other benefits include:

• 100% online and asynchronous (at your own pace) courses
• six- to seven-week courses
• professors hosting virtual office hours
• online bachelor's degrees costing $561 to $661 per credit hour

6. University of Illinois, Springfield

The University of Illinois in Springfield offers a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies that allows students to create a study plan based on their interests and goals.

Students can choose from courses in:

• fine arts
• humanities
• natural sciences
• social sciences

Other liberal arts programs include:

• history
• philosophy
• political science
• psychology

Some of the benefits include:

• 100% online
• affordable tuition of $362
• ranked third in the Midwest and first in Illinois
• ranked fifth for graduates with the least amount of debt

7. University of North Carolina, Greensboro

The University of North Carolina in Greensboro offers degree programs through its College of Arts and Sciences. This program has an interdisciplinary approach and shares courses with 30 other departments. Students can choose from:

• humanities
• professional studies
• psychology
• social sciences

These liberal and interdisciplinary studies programs are highly customizable as well as:

• 100% online
• seven- to 14-week courses
• annual online in-state tuition: $5,436
• annual online out-of-state: $20,595

8. University of Northern Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa was named the best online college in Iowa by College Choice in 2020. Online liberal arts degrees offered include:

• criminal justice
• criminology
• general studies
• individual studies: human services or sports administration
• liberal studies

The online programs here are flexible and affordable and offer the following:

• 100% online programs via Zoom and Blackboard
• flexibility in completing coursework
• proven reputation since 1876
• guided independent study
• tuition: $539 per credit, plus $40 per course technology fee

9. University of Maryland

The University of Maryland's Global Campus offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and communications with the following concentrations:

• art and graphic design
• communications and public relations
• culture and diversity
• East Asian studies
• English and writing
• history

Other benefits the school has to offer include the following:

• ranked as one of the top online colleges by Newsweek
• provided lifetime career services for all students and alumni
• tuition: $312 per credit for in-state students and $499 for out-of-state students

10. University of Iowa

The University of Iowa offers a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and sciences with a wide range of courses, over 70 minors, and certificates to complement their degree. Concentration tracks include:

• expression in writing and arts
• family, community, and social support
• global studies
• justice and ethics
• organizational studies

Other benefits the University of Iowa offers include:

• optional certificates for those who want additional focus within their degree
• tuition: $376 per credit