Liberal Arts Rankings - US News
In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 rankings of the best liberal arts colleges, a select group of schools stood out for their academic rigor, commitment to student development, and overall reputation in higher education. These institutions, spread across the United States, embody the ideals of liberal arts education: cultivating critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a well-rounded knowledge of the world. The top five liberal arts colleges in the 2009 rankings were Amherst College, Williams College, Swarthmore College, Wellesley College, and Middlebury College—each with its own unique qualities that contribute to its stature. These colleges provide students with the resources to pursue excellence in academics while offering enriching environments that prepare them for leadership roles in various fields.
Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, has long been a leader in liberal arts education. It was ranked first in the 2009 U.S. News rankings of liberal arts colleges, a position it shares with Williams College, another prestigious institution in the same state. Amherst College is known for its highly selective admission process, its rigorous academic programs, and its intimate academic environment. The college offers a comprehensive range of majors, from the sciences and social sciences to the humanities and arts, and is particularly recognized for its strength in the humanities, including English, history, and philosophy. The college’s open curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study without the constraint of general education requirements, is one of its most distinctive features. This flexibility fosters intellectual freedom and allows students to engage deeply with their areas of interest. The college’s small size—1,685 students in 2007—ensures that students have access to close interactions with their professors, who are leaders in their fields. Despite its small size, Amherst College boasts an impressive roster of successful alumni who have excelled in diverse fields such as law, medicine, business, and the arts. With a selective acceptance rate of just 17.6% in 2007, Amherst continues to be one of the most sought-after liberal arts colleges in the country.
Williams College, also ranked first in the U.S. News rankings in 2009, is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, a picturesque town nestled in the Berkshire Mountains. Like Amherst, Williams is known for its exceptional academic programs and highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 18.4% in 2007. The college offers a diverse array of academic disciplines, and its faculty members are committed to fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages critical thinking and intellectual inquiry. Williams College is particularly strong in the fields of economics, political science, and history, but it also offers excellent programs in the natural sciences, arts, and humanities. A defining feature of Williams is its tutorial system, in which students work closely with faculty members in small, discussion-based seminars. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of complex ideas and ensures that students are actively engaged in their own learning. With an enrollment of approximately 2,046 students in 2007, Williams offers a close-knit academic community that fosters intellectual growth, personal development, and lifelong friendships. The college’s strong commitment to providing a well-rounded education, combined with its beautiful campus and strong alumni network, makes Williams one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country.
Swarthmore College, ranked third in the 2009 U.S. News rankings, is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Swarthmore is another highly selective liberal arts college, with an acceptance rate of 17.7% in 2007. The college is known for its strong commitment to social responsibility, intellectual inquiry, and academic rigor. Swarthmore offers a diverse range of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and is particularly well-regarded for its strengths in philosophy, psychology, and the natural sciences. Swarthmore’s academic programs emphasize a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to learning, encouraging students to make connections across disciplines and explore complex societal issues. Like Amherst and Williams, Swarthmore is known for its small student body—1,491 students in 2007—allowing for close student-faculty interactions and a strong sense of community. The college has a unique social justice mission, and many students are actively involved in service work and social activism, both locally and globally. Swarthmore’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, combined with its academic excellence, makes it a standout institution in the liberal arts world.
Wellesley College, ranked fourth in the 2009 U.S. News rankings, is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and stands out for its historical legacy as a women’s college. Founded in 1870, Wellesley College has become one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges for women in the world. With an enrollment of 2,380 students in 2007, Wellesley provides a close-knit and empowering environment where women are encouraged to pursue their academic and personal goals. The college offers a wide range of programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and it is particularly strong in fields such as political science, economics, and English literature. Wellesley College is also known for its leadership development programs, which help women gain the skills necessary to become leaders in their chosen fields. The college’s commitment to academic rigor, combined with its strong focus on women’s empowerment and leadership, makes Wellesley one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. The college’s acceptance rate in 2007 was 35.7%, which is relatively high compared to other top-tier liberal arts institutions, making it an attractive option for students seeking an intellectually stimulating environment that also fosters personal growth and leadership development.
Middlebury College, ranked fifth in the 2009 U.S. News rankings, is located in Middlebury, Vermont, and is known for its exceptional liberal arts programs and its strong commitment to global education. Middlebury College’s undergraduate offerings cover a wide range of disciplines, including the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. The college is particularly renowned for its language programs, with one of the most respected foreign language departments in the country. The college also has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and offers a range of programs focused on global environmental issues. Middlebury’s campus is located in a beautiful rural setting, providing students with a peaceful and inspiring environment in which to learn and grow. With an enrollment of 2,500 students in 2007 and an acceptance rate of 20.6%, Middlebury offers a tight-knit academic community where students are encouraged to take risks intellectually, explore new ideas, and make connections across disciplines. The college’s emphasis on global education, language acquisition, and sustainability, combined with its outstanding liberal arts programs, makes it one of the top institutions in the United States for students seeking a well-rounded and transformative educational experience.
In conclusion, the U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 rankings of the best liberal arts colleges highlight five exceptional institutions: Amherst College, Williams College, Swarthmore College, Wellesley College, and Middlebury College. Each of these colleges offers a unique academic environment characterized by academic excellence, close student-faculty relationships, and a commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. While their specific strengths may vary—whether in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or leadership development—these colleges share a common focus on intellectual rigor and preparing students for success in a rapidly changing world. Students who attend these institutions have access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a vibrant academic community, ensuring that they receive an education that is both intellectually enriching and personally transformative.
US News Best Colleges - Liberal Arts Rankings 2009:
1 Amherst College |Amherst, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,640
2007 Total enrollment: 1,685
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 17.6 %
1 Williams College |Williamstown, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,640
2007 Total enrollment: 2,046
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 18.4 %
3 Swarthmore College |Swarthmore, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,490
2007 Total enrollment: 1,491
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 17.7 %
4 Wellesley College |Wellesley, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,640
2007 Total enrollment: 2,380
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 35.7 %
5 Middlebury College |Middlebury, VT
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $49,210
2007 Total enrollment: 2,500
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 20.6 %
6 Bowdoin College |Brunswick, ME
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,190
2007 Total enrollment: 1,716
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 19.0 %
6 Pomona College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,625
2007 Total enrollment: 1,547
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 16.3 %
8 Carleton College |Northfield, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,046
2007 Total enrollment: 2,005
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.8 %
9 Davidson College |Davidson, NC
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,479
2007 Total enrollment: 1,674
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.2 %
10 Haverford College |Haverford, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,525
2007 Total enrollment: 1,169
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 25.1 %
11 Claremont McKenna College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,160
2007 Total enrollment: 1,135
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 16.2 %
11 Vassar College |Poughkeepsie, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $40,210
2007 Total enrollment: 2,451
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.6 %
13 Wesleyan University |Middletown, CT
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,634
2007 Total enrollment: 3,222
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.4 %
14 Grinnell College |Grinnell, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,098
2007 Total enrollment: 1,654
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 49.9 %
14 Harvey Mudd College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,635
2007 Total enrollment: 732
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.1 %
14 United States Military Academy |West Point, NY
2008-2009 In-state: $0; Out-of-state: $0
2007 Total enrollment: 4,487
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 15.0 %
17 Washington and Lee University |Lexington, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,412
2007 Total enrollment: 2,181
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.4 %
18 Colgate University |Hamilton, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $39,545
2007 Total enrollment: 2,841
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 25.6 %
18 Smith College |Northampton, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,058
2007 Total enrollment: 3,065
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 51.9 %
20 Hamilton College |Clinton, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,600
2007 Total enrollment: 1,842
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.7 %
20 Oberlin College |Oberlin, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,280
2007 Total enrollment: 2,774
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 31.3 %
22 United States Naval Academy |Annapolis, MD
2008-2009 In-state: $0; Out-of-state: $0
2007 Total enrollment: 4,441
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 11.8 %
23 Bryn Mawr College |Bryn Mawr, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,540
2007 Total enrollment: 1,790
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 45.5 %
23 Colby College |Waterville, ME
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $48,520
2007 Total enrollment: 1,867
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 31.8 %
25 Bates College |Lewiston, ME
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $49,350
2007 Total enrollment: 1,660
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.6 %
25 Macalester College |St. Paul, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,504
2007 Total enrollment: 1,920
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 40.6 %
27 Barnard College |New York, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,538
2007 Total enrollment: 2,346
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.8 %
27 Mount Holyoke College |South Hadley, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,646
2007 Total enrollment: 2,204
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 52.3 %
27 Scripps College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,950
2007 Total enrollment: 920
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 42.9 %
30 Bucknell University |Lewisburg, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $39,652
2007 Total enrollment: 3,677
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.9 %
30 Colorado College |Colorado Springs, CO
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,844
2007 Total enrollment: 2,075
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 31.9 %
32 Kenyon College |Gambier, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $40,240
2007 Total enrollment: 1,663
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.2 %
33 Trinity College |Hartford, CT
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,354
2007 Total enrollment: 2,564
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 34.2 %
33 University of Richmond |Univ. of Richmond, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,850
2007 Total enrollment: 3,447
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 39.9 %
35 College of the Holy Cross |Worcester, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,242
2007 Total enrollment: 2,847
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 33.0 %
35 Lafayette College |Easton, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,090
2007 Total enrollment: 2,403
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 35.0 %
37 Bard College |Annandale on Hudson, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,374
2007 Total enrollment: 2,062
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.1 %
37 Furman University |Greenville, SC
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,588
2007 Total enrollment: 2,951
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 55.7 %
37 Occidental College |Los Angeles, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,071
2007 Total enrollment: 1,877
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 44.1 %
37 Whitman College |Walla Walla, WA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,192
2007 Total enrollment: 1,489
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 48.3 %
41 Sewanee--University of the South |Sewanee, TN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,760
2007 Total enrollment: 1,561
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 63.6 %
42 Connecticut College |New London, CT
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $49,385
2007 Total enrollment: 1,869
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 34.5 %
42 Franklin and Marshall College |Lancaster, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,630
2007 Total enrollment: 2,104
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 37.3 %
42 Union College |Schenectady, NY
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $48,552
2007 Total enrollment: 2,177
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 43.3 %
45 Centre College |Danville, KY
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $37,000
2007 Total enrollment: 1,189
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 60.8 %
45 Dickinson College |Carlisle, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,234
2007 Total enrollment: 2,381
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 41.8 %
47 Skidmore College |Saratoga Springs, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,888
2007 Total enrollment: 2,863
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 36.6 %
47 St. Olaf College |Northfield, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,300
2007 Total enrollment: 3,040
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.4 %
49 DePauw University |Greencastle, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,825
2007 Total enrollment: 2,398
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 69.1 %
49 Gettysburg College |Gettysburg, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,720
2007 Total enrollment: 2,497
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 35.6 %
49 Pitzer College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,870
2007 Total enrollment: 999
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 26.2 %
49 Rhodes College |Memphis, TN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,652
2007 Total enrollment: 1,698
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 50.9 %
53 Denison University |Granville, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,300
2007 Total enrollment: 2,242
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 39.1 %
54 Reed College |Portland, OR
2007-2008 Tuition and Fees: $34,530
2007 Total enrollment: 1,492
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 34.3 %
54 Wabash College |Crawfordsville, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,950
2007 Total enrollment: 917
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 47.2 %
56 Lawrence University |Appleton, WI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,264
2007 Total enrollment: 1,451
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 55.6 %
56 Wheaton College |Wheaton, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $25,500
2007 Total enrollment: 2,895
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 55.2 %
58 St. Lawrence University |Canton, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,915
2007 Total enrollment: 2,319
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 43.7 %
58 Wheaton College |Norton, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,860
2007 Total enrollment: 1,657
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 36.8 %
60 Agnes Scott College |Decatur, GA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $29,060
2007 Total enrollment: 892
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 45.2 %
60 Beloit College |Beloit, WI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,540
2007 Total enrollment: 1,352
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 60.5 %
60 Illinois Wesleyan University |Bloomington, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,434
2007 Total enrollment: 2,094
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 57.2 %
60 Kalamazoo College |Kalamazoo, MI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,723
2007 Total enrollment: 1,340
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 62.6 %
60 Thomas Aquinas College |Santa Paula, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $21,400
2007 Total enrollment: 360
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 60.4 %
60 Willamette University |Salem, OR
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,960
2007 Total enrollment: 2,720
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 77.1 %
60 Wofford College |Spartanburg, SC
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $29,465
2007 Total enrollment: 1,327
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 53.4 %
67 Earlham College |Richmond, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,030
2007 Total enrollment: 1,360
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 68.9 %
68 Berea College |Berea, KY
2007-2008 Tuition and Fees: $776
2007 Total enrollment:
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.3 %
68 Hobart and William Smith Colleges |Geneva, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,860
2007 Total enrollment: 2,009
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.5 %
68 Southwestern University |Georgetown, TX
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,940
2007 Total enrollment: 1,294
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 67.4 %
71 Austin College |Sherman, TX
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $24,352
2007 Total enrollment: 1,339
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 70.9 %
71 Drew University |Madison, NJ
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,470
2007 Total enrollment: 2,630
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 61.0 %
71 Lewis and Clark College |Portland, OR
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,726
2007 Total enrollment: 3,562
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 56.0 %
71 Muhlenberg College |Allentown, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,375
2007 Total enrollment: 2,457
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 37.2 %
71 St. John's University |Collegeville, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $28,628
2007 Total enrollment: 2,080
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 73.5 %
71 Virginia Military Institute |Lexington, VA
2008-2009 In-state: $10,556; Out-of-state: $27,454
2007 Total enrollment: 1,378
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.3 %
77 College of Wooster |Wooster, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,770
2007 Total enrollment: 1,777
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 74.3 %
77 Hendrix College |Conway, AR
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $26,080
2007 Total enrollment: 1,195
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 82.7 %
77 Spelman College |Atlanta, GA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $20,280
2007 Total enrollment: 2,343
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 33.0 %
77 Transylvania University |Lexington, KY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $23,810
2007 Total enrollment: 1,153
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 80.2 %
81 Birmingham-Southern College |Birmingham, AL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $25,586
2007 Total enrollment: 1,389
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 66.0 %
81 University of Puget Sound |Tacoma, WA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,140
2007 Total enrollment: 2,799
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 66.4 %
81 Ursinus College |Collegeville, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,910
2007 Total enrollment: 1,583
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 52.7 %
84 College of St. Benedict |St. Joseph, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $28,236
2007 Total enrollment: 2,087
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 75.2 %
84 Millsaps College |Jackson, MS
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $24,754
2007 Total enrollment: 1,151
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 77.2 %
84 St. Mary's College of Maryland |St. Mary's City, MD
2008-2009 In-state: $12,604; Out-of-state: $23,454
2007 Total enrollment: 2,002
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.8 %
84 Sweet Briar College |Sweet Briar, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $26,995
2007 Total enrollment: 815
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 81.4 %
88 Augustana College |Rock Island, IL
2007-2008 Tuition and Fees: $26,484
2007 Total enrollment: 2,537
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 73.3 %
88 Cornell College |Mount Vernon, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,850
2007 Total enrollment: 1,083
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 45.5 %
88 Gustavus Adolphus College |St. Peter, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,280
2007 Total enrollment: 2,628
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 71.4 %
88 Hope College |Holland, MI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $24,920
2007 Total enrollment: 3,226
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 82.8 %
88 Knox College |Galesburg, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,507
2007 Total enrollment: 1,371
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 61.1 %
88 Luther College |Decorah, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,070
2007 Total enrollment: 2,476
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 82.6 %
94 Allegheny College |Meadville, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,000
2007 Total enrollment: 2,193
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 57.1 %
94 Lake Forest College |Lake Forest, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,520
2007 Total enrollment: 1,456
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 61.1 %
94 New College of Florida |Sarasota, FL
2008-2009 In-state: $4,065; Out-of-state: $22,988
2007 Total enrollment: 767
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 57.0 %
94 Washington College |Chestertown, MD
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,005
2007 Total enrollment: 1,289
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 63.5 %
98 Coe College |Cedar Rapids, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,720
2007 Total enrollment: 1,316
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 64.0 %
98 Hampden-Sydney College |Hampden-Sydney, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $29,254
2007 Total enrollment: 1,122
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 66.9 %
98 Hanover College |Hanover, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $25,220
2007 Total enrollment: 929
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 65.8 %
98 Hillsdale College |Hillsdale, MI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $19,920
2007 Total enrollment: 1,326
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 64.0 %
98 Hollins University |Roanoke, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,055
2007 Total enrollment: 1,049
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 88.5 %
98 Juniata College |Huntingdon, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,280
2007 Total enrollment: 1,506
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 67.3 %
1 Amherst College |Amherst, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,640
2007 Total enrollment: 1,685
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 17.6 %
1 Williams College |Williamstown, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,640
2007 Total enrollment: 2,046
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 18.4 %
3 Swarthmore College |Swarthmore, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,490
2007 Total enrollment: 1,491
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 17.7 %
4 Wellesley College |Wellesley, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,640
2007 Total enrollment: 2,380
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 35.7 %
5 Middlebury College |Middlebury, VT
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $49,210
2007 Total enrollment: 2,500
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 20.6 %
6 Bowdoin College |Brunswick, ME
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,190
2007 Total enrollment: 1,716
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 19.0 %
6 Pomona College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,625
2007 Total enrollment: 1,547
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 16.3 %
8 Carleton College |Northfield, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,046
2007 Total enrollment: 2,005
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.8 %
9 Davidson College |Davidson, NC
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,479
2007 Total enrollment: 1,674
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.2 %
10 Haverford College |Haverford, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,525
2007 Total enrollment: 1,169
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 25.1 %
11 Claremont McKenna College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,160
2007 Total enrollment: 1,135
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 16.2 %
11 Vassar College |Poughkeepsie, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $40,210
2007 Total enrollment: 2,451
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.6 %
13 Wesleyan University |Middletown, CT
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,634
2007 Total enrollment: 3,222
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.4 %
14 Grinnell College |Grinnell, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,098
2007 Total enrollment: 1,654
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 49.9 %
14 Harvey Mudd College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,635
2007 Total enrollment: 732
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.1 %
14 United States Military Academy |West Point, NY
2008-2009 In-state: $0; Out-of-state: $0
2007 Total enrollment: 4,487
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 15.0 %
17 Washington and Lee University |Lexington, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,412
2007 Total enrollment: 2,181
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.4 %
18 Colgate University |Hamilton, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $39,545
2007 Total enrollment: 2,841
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 25.6 %
18 Smith College |Northampton, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,058
2007 Total enrollment: 3,065
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 51.9 %
20 Hamilton College |Clinton, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,600
2007 Total enrollment: 1,842
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.7 %
20 Oberlin College |Oberlin, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,280
2007 Total enrollment: 2,774
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 31.3 %
22 United States Naval Academy |Annapolis, MD
2008-2009 In-state: $0; Out-of-state: $0
2007 Total enrollment: 4,441
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 11.8 %
23 Bryn Mawr College |Bryn Mawr, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,540
2007 Total enrollment: 1,790
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 45.5 %
23 Colby College |Waterville, ME
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $48,520
2007 Total enrollment: 1,867
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 31.8 %
25 Bates College |Lewiston, ME
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $49,350
2007 Total enrollment: 1,660
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.6 %
25 Macalester College |St. Paul, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,504
2007 Total enrollment: 1,920
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 40.6 %
27 Barnard College |New York, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,538
2007 Total enrollment: 2,346
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 28.8 %
27 Mount Holyoke College |South Hadley, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,646
2007 Total enrollment: 2,204
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 52.3 %
27 Scripps College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,950
2007 Total enrollment: 920
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 42.9 %
30 Bucknell University |Lewisburg, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $39,652
2007 Total enrollment: 3,677
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.9 %
30 Colorado College |Colorado Springs, CO
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,844
2007 Total enrollment: 2,075
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 31.9 %
32 Kenyon College |Gambier, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $40,240
2007 Total enrollment: 1,663
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.2 %
33 Trinity College |Hartford, CT
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,354
2007 Total enrollment: 2,564
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 34.2 %
33 University of Richmond |Univ. of Richmond, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,850
2007 Total enrollment: 3,447
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 39.9 %
35 College of the Holy Cross |Worcester, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,242
2007 Total enrollment: 2,847
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 33.0 %
35 Lafayette College |Easton, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,090
2007 Total enrollment: 2,403
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 35.0 %
37 Bard College |Annandale on Hudson, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,374
2007 Total enrollment: 2,062
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 27.1 %
37 Furman University |Greenville, SC
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,588
2007 Total enrollment: 2,951
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 55.7 %
37 Occidental College |Los Angeles, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,071
2007 Total enrollment: 1,877
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 44.1 %
37 Whitman College |Walla Walla, WA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,192
2007 Total enrollment: 1,489
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 48.3 %
41 Sewanee--University of the South |Sewanee, TN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,760
2007 Total enrollment: 1,561
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 63.6 %
42 Connecticut College |New London, CT
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $49,385
2007 Total enrollment: 1,869
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 34.5 %
42 Franklin and Marshall College |Lancaster, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,630
2007 Total enrollment: 2,104
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 37.3 %
42 Union College |Schenectady, NY
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $48,552
2007 Total enrollment: 2,177
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 43.3 %
45 Centre College |Danville, KY
2008-2009 Comprehensive Fee: $37,000
2007 Total enrollment: 1,189
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 60.8 %
45 Dickinson College |Carlisle, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,234
2007 Total enrollment: 2,381
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 41.8 %
47 Skidmore College |Saratoga Springs, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,888
2007 Total enrollment: 2,863
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 36.6 %
47 St. Olaf College |Northfield, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,300
2007 Total enrollment: 3,040
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.4 %
49 DePauw University |Greencastle, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,825
2007 Total enrollment: 2,398
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 69.1 %
49 Gettysburg College |Gettysburg, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,720
2007 Total enrollment: 2,497
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 35.6 %
49 Pitzer College |Claremont, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,870
2007 Total enrollment: 999
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 26.2 %
49 Rhodes College |Memphis, TN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,652
2007 Total enrollment: 1,698
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 50.9 %
53 Denison University |Granville, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,300
2007 Total enrollment: 2,242
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 39.1 %
54 Reed College |Portland, OR
2007-2008 Tuition and Fees: $34,530
2007 Total enrollment: 1,492
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 34.3 %
54 Wabash College |Crawfordsville, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,950
2007 Total enrollment: 917
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 47.2 %
56 Lawrence University |Appleton, WI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,264
2007 Total enrollment: 1,451
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 55.6 %
56 Wheaton College |Wheaton, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $25,500
2007 Total enrollment: 2,895
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 55.2 %
58 St. Lawrence University |Canton, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $37,915
2007 Total enrollment: 2,319
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 43.7 %
58 Wheaton College |Norton, MA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,860
2007 Total enrollment: 1,657
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 36.8 %
60 Agnes Scott College |Decatur, GA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $29,060
2007 Total enrollment: 892
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 45.2 %
60 Beloit College |Beloit, WI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,540
2007 Total enrollment: 1,352
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 60.5 %
60 Illinois Wesleyan University |Bloomington, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,434
2007 Total enrollment: 2,094
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 57.2 %
60 Kalamazoo College |Kalamazoo, MI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,723
2007 Total enrollment: 1,340
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 62.6 %
60 Thomas Aquinas College |Santa Paula, CA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $21,400
2007 Total enrollment: 360
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 60.4 %
60 Willamette University |Salem, OR
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,960
2007 Total enrollment: 2,720
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 77.1 %
60 Wofford College |Spartanburg, SC
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $29,465
2007 Total enrollment: 1,327
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 53.4 %
67 Earlham College |Richmond, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,030
2007 Total enrollment: 1,360
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 68.9 %
68 Berea College |Berea, KY
2007-2008 Tuition and Fees: $776
2007 Total enrollment:
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 29.3 %
68 Hobart and William Smith Colleges |Geneva, NY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $38,860
2007 Total enrollment: 2,009
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.5 %
68 Southwestern University |Georgetown, TX
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,940
2007 Total enrollment: 1,294
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 67.4 %
71 Austin College |Sherman, TX
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $24,352
2007 Total enrollment: 1,339
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 70.9 %
71 Drew University |Madison, NJ
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,470
2007 Total enrollment: 2,630
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 61.0 %
71 Lewis and Clark College |Portland, OR
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,726
2007 Total enrollment: 3,562
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 56.0 %
71 Muhlenberg College |Allentown, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $35,375
2007 Total enrollment: 2,457
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 37.2 %
71 St. John's University |Collegeville, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $28,628
2007 Total enrollment: 2,080
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 73.5 %
71 Virginia Military Institute |Lexington, VA
2008-2009 In-state: $10,556; Out-of-state: $27,454
2007 Total enrollment: 1,378
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.3 %
77 College of Wooster |Wooster, OH
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $33,770
2007 Total enrollment: 1,777
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 74.3 %
77 Hendrix College |Conway, AR
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $26,080
2007 Total enrollment: 1,195
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 82.7 %
77 Spelman College |Atlanta, GA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $20,280
2007 Total enrollment: 2,343
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 33.0 %
77 Transylvania University |Lexington, KY
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $23,810
2007 Total enrollment: 1,153
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 80.2 %
81 Birmingham-Southern College |Birmingham, AL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $25,586
2007 Total enrollment: 1,389
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 66.0 %
81 University of Puget Sound |Tacoma, WA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,140
2007 Total enrollment: 2,799
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 66.4 %
81 Ursinus College |Collegeville, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,910
2007 Total enrollment: 1,583
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 52.7 %
84 College of St. Benedict |St. Joseph, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $28,236
2007 Total enrollment: 2,087
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 75.2 %
84 Millsaps College |Jackson, MS
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $24,754
2007 Total enrollment: 1,151
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 77.2 %
84 St. Mary's College of Maryland |St. Mary's City, MD
2008-2009 In-state: $12,604; Out-of-state: $23,454
2007 Total enrollment: 2,002
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 54.8 %
84 Sweet Briar College |Sweet Briar, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $26,995
2007 Total enrollment: 815
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 81.4 %
88 Augustana College |Rock Island, IL
2007-2008 Tuition and Fees: $26,484
2007 Total enrollment: 2,537
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 73.3 %
88 Cornell College |Mount Vernon, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,850
2007 Total enrollment: 1,083
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 45.5 %
88 Gustavus Adolphus College |St. Peter, MN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,280
2007 Total enrollment: 2,628
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 71.4 %
88 Hope College |Holland, MI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $24,920
2007 Total enrollment: 3,226
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 82.8 %
88 Knox College |Galesburg, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,507
2007 Total enrollment: 1,371
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 61.1 %
88 Luther College |Decorah, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $31,070
2007 Total enrollment: 2,476
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 82.6 %
94 Allegheny College |Meadville, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,000
2007 Total enrollment: 2,193
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 57.1 %
94 Lake Forest College |Lake Forest, IL
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $32,520
2007 Total enrollment: 1,456
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 61.1 %
94 New College of Florida |Sarasota, FL
2008-2009 In-state: $4,065; Out-of-state: $22,988
2007 Total enrollment: 767
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 57.0 %
94 Washington College |Chestertown, MD
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $34,005
2007 Total enrollment: 1,289
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 63.5 %
98 Coe College |Cedar Rapids, IA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,720
2007 Total enrollment: 1,316
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 64.0 %
98 Hampden-Sydney College |Hampden-Sydney, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $29,254
2007 Total enrollment: 1,122
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 66.9 %
98 Hanover College |Hanover, IN
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $25,220
2007 Total enrollment: 929
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 65.8 %
98 Hillsdale College |Hillsdale, MI
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $19,920
2007 Total enrollment: 1,326
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 64.0 %
98 Hollins University |Roanoke, VA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $27,055
2007 Total enrollment: 1,049
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 88.5 %
98 Juniata College |Huntingdon, PA
2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $30,280
2007 Total enrollment: 1,506
Fall 2007 Acceptance rate: 67.3 %
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