With so many liberal arts colleges and universities in the nation, it can feel next to impossible to find the right one for your needs and goals—because while there are a lot, they’re not all the same. This list of liberal arts schools in the Southern US is a great place to start learning more about what makes them special. You can see some highlights about each school, click through to read more about them on their CollegeXpress profile, and even get connected directly using the green “Connect me” buttons to let them tell you more about themselves. Find that tight-knit liberal arts community you’re looking for today!
Centre College
Centre College is a selective independent liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky. Enrolling approximately 1,404 students, the College offers over 70 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs with a personalized 10:1 student-faculty ratio. Centre stands out for its top-ranked study abroad experiences, with 84% of students studying internationally by graduation. Undergraduates enjoy a vibrant, close-knit residential community where 99% of students live on campus and 90% benefit from generous institutional financial aid packages.
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. More than 150 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are offered at ORU to 4,700+ students from all 50 states and 120+ nations. The University is also home to 16 NCAA Division I athletic teams, more than 30 student-led clubs and organizations, and a multitude of leadership opportunities.
Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University is a private Christian liberal arts school in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. With a total enrollment of about 1,815 students and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers a tight-knit community where 95% of undergrads live on campus. The university has a 68% acceptance rate, and all students receive some form of financial aid, averaging $26,141. Tuition and fees total approximately $37,158, with additional costs for housing and food. Known for its strong faith emphasis, it features competitive DII athletics, including swimming and baseball, and is recognized for its value and "haunted" history. Rolling admissions apply for transfers.
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is a private Methodist liberal arts and sciences university in Georgetown, Texas—28 miles north of Austin. At Southwestern, more than 1,500 students pursue 37 majors and seven pre-professional programs with an average class size of 18 and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The University also offers 100+ student organizations, 20 Division III athletic teams, club and intramural sports, and career services that are ranked first in the state.
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas is a church-affiliated liberal arts institution with a 215-acre campus in Irving, Texas—on the northwest boundary of Dallas. All students, regardless of which of the University’s 25+ undergraduate majors they choose, are required to complete UD’s nationally recognized Core Curriculum: a two-year, 60-credit-hour sequence of classes. UD’s unique academic, spiritual, and communal character brings students together through more than 50 academic, service, and social clubs and organizations.
University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word is a private Catholic liberal arts university in San Antonio, Texas. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UIW is home to over 9,000 students from more than 60 countries pursuing 90+ undergraduate academic programs. Students can participate in Division I athletics and 100+ clubs and organizations, and any applicant graduating from a Catholic high school receives an additional scholarship to attend the University.
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