Students can expect an intimate feel at the top 20 National Liberal Arts Colleges, since all have fewer than 5,000 undergraduates.
These institutions award at least half of their degrees in the arts and sciences. Take a look at photos of the liberal arts colleges that topped the 2018 Best Colleges rankings.
18 (tie). Grinnell College (IA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,699
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $50,464
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Grinnell College.
18 (tie). Hamilton College (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,879
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $52,770
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Hamilton College.
18 (tie). Haverford College (PA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,268
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $52,754
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Haverford College.
12 (tie). Colby College (ME)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,879
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $53,120
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Colby College.
12 (tie). Colgate University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,882
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $53,980
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Colgate University.
12 (tie). Harvey Mudd College (CA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 829
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $54,886
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 5
More about Harvey Mudd.
12 (tie). Smith College (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,514
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $50,044
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Smith College.
12 (tie). United States Military Academy (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,389
2017-2018 tuition and fees: N/A
Regular decision application deadline: Feb. 28
More about West Point.
12 (tie). Vassar College (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,424
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $55,210
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Vassar College.
10 (tie). Davidson College (NC)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,796
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $49,949
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Davidson College.
10 (tie). Washington and Lee University (VA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,830
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $50,170
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Washington and Lee University.
8 (tie). Carleton College (MN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,105
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $52,782
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Carleton College.
8 (tie). Claremont McKenna College (CA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,347
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $52,825
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Claremont McKenna College.
6 (tie). Middlebury College (VT)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,532
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $52,496
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Middlebury College.
6 (tie). Pomona College (CA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,660
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $51,075
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Pomona College.
3 (tie). Bowdoin College (ME)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,806
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $51,848
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Bowdoin College.
3 (tie). Swarthmore College (PA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,543
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $50,822
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Swarthmore College.
3 (tie). Wellesley College (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,347
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $51,148
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Wellesley College.
2. Amherst College (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,849
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $54,310
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Amherst College.
1. Williams College (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,076
2017-2018 tuition and fees: $53,550
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Williams College.
Explore More of the Best Colleges Rankings
See all the 2018 Best Colleges rankings, including exclusive lists such as the top 100 schools with the lowest acceptance rates.
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