Great Liberal Arts Colleges in the Northeast
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Great Private Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities in the Northeast

If you’re looking for a well-rounded liberal arts education, look no further than the colleges and universities on this list of schools in the Northeast.

When people think about college, they often imagine a picturesque, leafy-green residential campus—and that’s exactly what the liberal arts colleges and universities on this list have to offer. Located in the northeastern US with a four-season climate, these schools offer the classic liberal arts education and close-knit community many students are looking for in their higher education experience. If this sounds ideal, start scrolling and learning about schools that could very well be your future home. You can request more information from them by clicking the green “Connect me” button underneath each one. Happy searching!

Arcadia University

Arcadia University logoArcadia University is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college in Glenside, Pennsylvania—just 20 minutes outside Philadelphia by train. Arcadia boasts a student body of 3,700—2,300 of whom are undergraduates—who study in more than 140 programs and get involved in 60+ clubs and organizations. The University also offers undergraduates a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, an average class size of 14 students, and over 130 study abroad programs.

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Caldwell University

Caldwell University logoCaldwell University is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Caldwell, New York—20 miles from New York City. Designated as a College of Distinction, Caldwell offers 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students more than 60 academic programs, 23 student clubs, and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. Students come from over 40 countries to study at the University and benefit from scholarships that range up to full tuition as well as affiliation programs with other universities for a wider range of academic offerings.

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Carlow University

Carlow University logoCarlow University is a private liberal arts college primarily for women in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over 1,300+ students are enrolled in more than 45 undergraduate and graduate areas of study with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The University helps students succeed through the Center for Academic Achievement, which provides one-on-one mentoring and guidance to help students prepare for tests, conquer procrastination, get organized, and study more effectively.  

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Emmanuel College

Emmanuel College logoEmmanuel College is a coeducational Catholic college of liberal arts and sciences in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. Emmanuel’s 2,000+ undergraduate and graduate students cultivate a strong intellectual and ethical foundation across five academic schools and more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations. The College’s location gives students direct access to world-class research, learning, and experiential opportunities, with 100% of students completing at least one career-igniting internship before graduation.

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Felician University

Felician University logoFelician University is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Lodi, New Jersey—15 miles from New York City. The University offers over 60 career-focused programs through four academic schools to help its 2,200+ find their way to success. Motivated, high-achieving Felician students can enrich their college experience through the Honors Program, which offers smaller classes that allow for close interaction with professors and independent scholarly research with faculty guidance.

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Geneva College

Geneva College logoGeneva College is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania—45 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in 145+ majors and academic programs with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Recognized as a College of Distinction, the University helps students of 63 religious denominations thrive with more than 100 study abroad programs, 35 campus organizations, aid awarded to every undergraduate, and more.

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Goucher College

Goucher College logoGoucher College is a small private liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland. The College offers 1,100 undergraduates a unique academic experience through the Goucher Edge program, integrating an innovative core curriculum into 29 majors and offering guaranteed study abroad and internship experiences. Goucher students are supported throughout their academic journey through resources like individualized Student Success Teams, personalized attention and guidance from faculty, and more. 

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Haverford College

Haverford College logoHaverford College is a private liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania—only eight miles from downtown Philadelphia. Haverford’s 1,400+ students pursue more than 30 majors in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with the benefits of a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The University’s three Academic Centers for academic excellence enrich each student’s experience beyond the classroom by hosting influential speakers, events, and symposia as well as offering the primary source of funding for internships and externships.

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Iona University

Iona College logoIona University is a coeducational liberal arts institution founded in the Roman Catholic tradition and located in New Rochelle, New York. The University enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds and 43 countries while offering more than 60 combined programs of study in the School of Arts & Science and the School of Business. Students can also get involved with 80 campus clubs, NCAA Division I athletics, hands-on academic facilities, and more.

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Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University logoJohns Hopkins University is a private university located in a residential area of Baltimore, Maryland. With more than 5,200 undergraduates on campus, the University offers over 50 majors, 40+ minors, and a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. Students get involved on campus in myriad ways with more than 400 clubs and organizations, 22 varsity athletic teams, and specific programs to pursue funded research projects alongside professors.

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Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan College logoMarymount Manhattan College is a private nonsectarian liberal arts college on the Upper East Side of New York City. MMC’s 2,000 students benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and the unique CityEdge program, which integrates the city’s resources into the curriculum through internships and career mentorships. Offering over 30 majors, the College emphasizes creative, hands-on learning in a global capital, ensuring undergraduates gain practical experience and professional networking opportunities right from their first year.

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Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst University logoMercyhurst University is a private Catholic institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania—100 miles north of Pittsburgh and 100 miles southwest of Buffalo. Over 2,700 students pursue more than 85 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate degrees in the Colleges of Business; Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences; and Natural & Health Sciences. Mercyhurst also offers students experience inside and outside the classroom, challenging them to write more, practice harder, dig deeper, and see the world from unconventional perspectives.

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Molloy University

Molloy University logoMolloy University is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Rockville Centre, New York—only 25 miles east of New York City. With 4,900 students on campus and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, Molloy offers more than 50 programs, many of which are nationally accredited. The University continues to expand its flexible learning options for many of its programs so students can take night, weekend, hybrid, or online classes.

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Siena College

Siena College logoSiena College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, New York—15 miles north of Albany. The College’s 3,600+ students study in 40 majors and 80+ minors, certificates, and concentrations with countless other ways to pursue their interests. Service is something Saints do proudly as part of Siena’s Franciscan tradition, and students can expect to do important work like caring for the homeless in Boston, building houses in Jamaica, or even working on projects in classes, internships, or research studies that have lasting impact on communities. 

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Saint Francis University

Saint Francis USaint Francis University is a church-affiliated college of the liberal arts and sciences with a 600-acre campus in Loretto, Pennsylvania—90 miles east of Pittsburgh. Approximately 1,700 undergraduates are enrolled in three professional schools: STEAM, Business, and Health Sciences & Education. With more than 75 clubs and organizations on campus, the student experience at Saint Francis places particular emphasis on developing individuals who will lead or serve with character in their chosen professions and communities. 

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University of Scranton

University of Scranton logoThe University of Scranton is a private Jesuit Catholic university in Scranton, Pennsylvania. More than 3,600 undergraduates have their choice of 69 majors and 49 minors across three colleges as well as unique honors opportunities such as the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, the Business Honors Program, the Magis Honors Program in STEM, and more. Students can extend their academic experience by participating in internships, research with faculty, and study abroad programs in more than 50 countries.

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Wagner College

Wagner College logoWagner College is a private liberal arts college in Staten Island, New York—just a quick ferry ride from Manhattan. The College enrolls 1,800 undergraduates in 32 majors who benefit from the Wagner Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts, which integrates real-world experience into coursework beginning the first year. Students can also get involved on campus with 26 athletic teams, 90+ student clubs and organizations, and internships that are required for all.

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Waynesburg University

Waynesburg University logoWaynesburg University is a church-affiliated liberal arts university in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania—60 miles from Pittsburgh. With more than 1,300 undergraduates and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers over 70 major concentrations as well as integrated bachelor’s-to-master’s programs in Business, Counseling, Criminal Investigation, and Education. Waynesburg’s undergraduate programs accelerate student growth through hands-on learning, research, internships, leadership work, service trips, and career planning.

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There are a lot more higher education options where this came from! Check out all our CX featured college lists to explore awesome colleges and universities with the majors and locations you’re looking for.

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