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 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.
Caldwell University
Caldwell 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.
Carlow University
Carlow 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.
Emmanuel College
Emmanuel 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.
Felician University
Felician 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.
Franklin & Marshall College
Franklin & Marshall College is a premier liberal arts college situated on a 220-acre campus in historic Lancaster, Pennsylvania—just two and a half hours from New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The College offers more than 60 fields of study with a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, encouraging early undergraduate research and exploration. Campus life centers around a unique College House system and over 110 student clubs, preparing graduates for outstanding career leadership and post-graduate success.
Geneva College
Geneva 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.
Goucher College
Goucher 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.
Haverford College
Haverford 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.
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University Maryland is a private Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts university located on a beautiful 81-acre campus in Baltimore, Maryland—just 15 minutes north of the Inner Harbor. The University offers more than 45 undergraduate majors with an average class size of 20 students and a supportive 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Undergraduates benefit from a vibrant living-learning program, guaranteed study abroad opportunities in over 30 global destinations, and an exceptional 99% post-graduation placement rate.
Mercyhurst University
Mercyhurst 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.
Molloy University
Molloy 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.
Siena College
Siena 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.
Saint Francis University
Saint 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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Wagner College
Wagner 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.
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg 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.
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.
