What kind of college do you want to attend? Since you found this list, we hope the answer is a liberal arts school. Liberal arts colleges and universities focus on a broad approach to the sciences, arts, and humanities. No matter what major you choose, these schools will provide you with a well-rounded education that will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in any field. As a scientist, you’ll still have a background in communication and creative thinking. As an artist, you’ll still learn how to research and think logically when problem-solving. Liberal arts schools are the masters of interdisciplinary learning, and they’re great options to reach your higher education goals. Start learning about great liberal arts institutions you could apply to with this list of schools in the Western US. If you’d like to request more information, just press the green “Connect me” buttons and the schools will be in touch with you soon!
The College of Idaho
The College of Idaho is a private college located in Caldwell, Idaho—25 miles west of Boise. Approximately 1,100 total students are enrolled, with 25 undergraduate majors, 37 minors, and 34 specializations offered in the fine arts and humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, social sciences and history, and professional fields. Students enjoy a small 10:1 student-faculty ratio, numerous off-campus and study abroad programs, and the College’s innovative PEAK curriculum, in which undergraduates earn a major and three minors in four years across four academic peaks.
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Colorado College
Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado—at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The College’s community of around 2,000 students study in over 40 major programs, 30 departmental minors, and 24 thematic minors—which are specialized pathways that examine particular themes from an interdisciplinary perspective. CC also offers its unique Block Plan curriculum where students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks, diving into their passions in small, discussion-based classes with professors who encourage them to grow and succeed.
Fort Lewis College
Fort Lewis College is a public liberal arts college in Durango, Colorado. Designated as a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution, the College is home to more than 3,400 students—over 41% of whom are Native American and come from more than 175 Native tribes and Alaskan villages—who study in 50+ academic programs, with popular majors in Engineering, Teacher Education, Environmental Studies, Business Administration, Biology, Psychology, and Health Sciences. Fort Lewis also offers support through over 100 student groups as well as the resources provided by the Leadership Center and the Counseling Center on campus.
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is a private research university with an undergraduate liberal arts college, affiliated with the Churches of Christ and located in Malibu, California, 12 miles from Santa Monica. Pepperdine's campus is home to approximately 3,300 undergraduates from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, geographic, and academic backgrounds who pursue 46 majors and 47 minors. With more than 110 student clubs and organizations, an active student government, Greek life, 1,000+ on campus events each year, and more, there's always an opportunity for students to build lasting friendships.
Reed College
Reed College is a small private college in Portland, Oregon. More than 1,500 students benefit from 38 majors and 15 minors (including interdisciplinary options), an average class size of 16, and a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. Reed provides a singular example of the liberal arts experience: a structured curriculum with an emphasis on personal inquiry; extensive written and in-person feedback from professors on assignments; and a deeply collaborative academic environment.
University of Redlands
University of Redlands is a private university in Redlands, California—65 miles from Los Angeles. Redlands offers more than 40 programs of study, with popular majors in Biology, Business, Communication & Sciences Disorders, and Psychology. The University is home to 2,400+ students from 45 states and 43 countries who participate in more than 100 student organizations and 120,000+ total community service hours.
Whitworth University
Whitworth University is a private Presbyterian university located just seven miles from the center of Spokane, Washington. With around 2,500 enrolled students, a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, and 92% of classes with fewer than 30 students, Whitworth offers more than 100 academic programs through the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, and School of Education. Students can also take advantage of unique clubs, intramural sports, 21 NCAA Division III athletic teams, 20 instrumental and vocal ensembles, multiple theater events and art exhibits, and more.
Willamette University
Willamette University is a private liberal arts institution located in Salem, Oregon, right across the street from the Oregon State Capitol and just an hour from Portland. Home to a welcoming, tight-knit community, the University offers 50+ undergraduate majors and graduate programs in law, business, and data science. Willamette’s historic 60-acre campus provides students with a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where rigorous learning prepares them for lives of purpose, leadership, civic engagement, and real-world impact.
Keeping an open mind during your college search? Explore even more great schools across the country with all our CX featured college lists.
