Best universities in the US for arts and humanities degrees 2026

Discover the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings for the best schools for arts and humanities in the US 2026.
This list of universities reveals the top-ranked 138 institutions for arts and humanities including languages, literature and linguistics; history; philosophy; theology; architecture; archaeology; and art, performing arts and design, offering prospective students insights into the highest-ranking universities in the field.
Universities across the US are evaluated based on teaching, research, and international outlook.
THE’s respected rankings use a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, relied upon by students, academics, policymakers and industry leaders worldwide.

April 22 2026

Top colleges in the US for arts and humanities degrees 2026

US Arts and Humanities Rank 2026	Global Arts and Humanities Rank 2026	University	Overall	Teaching	Research Environment	Research Quality	Industry	International Outlook
1	1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	92.7	91.3	92.9	96.8	89.2	91.8
2	2	Stanford University	91.5	94.7	91.7	95.7	69.4	74.3
3	5	Harvard University	89.7	93	94.2	82.1	68	74.5
4	6	University of California, Berkeley	88.9	87	93.4	92.3	81.7	72.5
5	7	Princeton University	88.5	91.7	91.1	87.2	70.3	70
6	9	Yale University	85.5	90.9	90.1	73.7	67.6	66.9
7	10	The University of Chicago	85.3	92.8	88.6	68.8	67	72.3
8	12	Columbia University	83.2	87	87.4	70.7	74.1	71.9
9	13	University of California, Los Angeles	82	83.7	87.7	76.5	67.9	62.1
10	14	University of Pennsylvania	81.7	82.5	82.1	81.8	70	79.5
11	16	New York University	80.3	75.7	88.8	77.3	67.9	71.7
12	21	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	76.4	78.1	79.1	75	68.6	60.7
13	29	Cornell University	71.4	68.9	68.1	86.2	68.3	72
14	40	Duke University	66.5	60.4	67.3	77.2	100	57.4
15	43	University of Texas at Austin	66	66.2	67.6	74.2	74.7	36.9
16	51	University of Notre Dame	63.3	63	65.1	63.8	60.3	55.7
17	54	Brown University	62.6	64.6	55.2	76.2	67.5	60.4
18	=58	Johns Hopkins University	61.7	56	54	80.7	97.5	76
=19	=74	University of California, Santa Barbara	56.3	54.5	44.7	81.3	69.3	66.7
=19	=74	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	56.3	59.6	48.1	73.7	67.5	41.6
21	76	University of Washington	56.1	48.9	45.8	87.7	67.5	75.2
22	=79	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh campus	55.6	52.9	52.2	75.6	72.5	39.6
23	83	Indiana University	55.1	56.2	46.4	68.1	80.9	56.8
24	87	University of Southern California	54.6	50.9	47.6	77.3	69.5	56.7
25	88	University of Wisconsin-Madison	54.2	51.8	47	71.3	84.2	55.1
=26	=89	Carnegie Mellon University	53.8	41.3	41.3	97.7	70	84.6
=26	=89	University of California, San Diego	53.8	50.3	39.3	86.5	100	59
28	=92	University of Massachusetts	53.3	50.6	47.8	70.6	70.5	52.6
=29	101–125	Emory University	47.9–51.7	46.5	38.9	68.8	67.5	55.1
=29	101–125	Georgetown University	47.9–51.7	50.4	41.8	71.2	66.6	36.3
=29	101–125	Michigan State University	47.9–51.7	45.2	35.2	89.4	64.5	62.3
=29	101–125	Northwestern University	47.9–51.7	50.9	40.4	77.8	67.5	53.2
=29	101–125	Ohio State University (Main campus)	47.9–51.7	45.4	37.9	75.4	69.3	46.5
=29	101–125	Rutgers University–New Brunswick	47.9–51.7	47.8	48	70.9	67.5	40.7
=29	101–125	University of California, Irvine	47.9–51.7	43.5	38.2	88.5	67.8	60.7
=29	101–125	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	47.9–51.7	45.7	45	77.7	70.1	54.7
=37	126–150	University of Maryland, College Park	44.9–47.7	41.4	38	78.8	68.2	37.3
=37	126–150	University of Minnesota	44.9–47.7	43	36.8	81.6	92.6	35.7
=37	126–150	University of Virginia (Main campus)	44.9–47.7	34.2	43.8	65.8	77	48.3
=40	151–175	Boston College	43.2–44.8	45.8	34	59.4	32.9	54
=40	151–175	Boston University	43.2–44.8	43	27.6	71.8	67.5	59.9
=40	151–175	Georgia Institute of Technology	43.2–44.8	34.1	30.9	81	74.5	80.2
=40	151–175	Penn State (Main campus)	43.2–44.8	35.2	38.4	77.1	67.5	49.6
=40	151–175	University of Arizona	43.2–44.8	38	35.4	81.1	68	43.5
=40	151–175	University of California, Davis	43.2–44.8	40.3	32	73.5	79.6	59.6
=40	151–175	University of California, Santa Cruz	43.2–44.8	38.4	30.7	86.4	79.5	48.8
=40	151–175	University of Connecticut	43.2–44.8	38.8	25.3	85.8	67	70.1
=40	151–175	University of Hawai’i at Mānoa	43.2–44.8	36.6	35.4	66.1	60.3	66.2
=49	176–200	Arizona State University (Tempe)	41.0–43.1	37.4	25.5	78.7	67.8	51
=49	176–200	Rice University	41.0–43.1	41.2	23.8	70.3	53.7	70.4
=51	201–250	Dartmouth College	37.8–40.8	40.4	19.4	69.4	67.3	52.3
=51	201–250	Purdue University West Lafayette	37.8–40.8	33.2	25.4	78.9	67.6	63.7
=51	201–250	University of Florida	37.8–40.8	33.1	29.2	70.7	69.8	43.2
=51	201–250	University of Oregon	37.8–40.8	33.6	28.4	75.1	67.3	32.9
=55	251–300	Stony Brook University	35.4–37.7	33.2	18	72.3	67.5	69.7
=55	251–300	Texas A&M University	35.4–37.7	29.7	23.1	73.3	67.5	52.2
=55	251–300	University of Colorado Boulder	35.4–37.7	31.6	23	68.9	67.5	46.5
=55	251–300	University of Rochester	35.4–37.7	31.8	17.5	72.6	67.6	58.3
=55	251–300	Vanderbilt University	35.4–37.7	32.5	21.6	74.3	67.5	58.4
=55	251–300	Washington University in St Louis	35.4–37.7	29.1	21.2	73.9	67.5	64.1
=61	301–400	Baylor University	31.0–35.3	33	17.5	72.6	49.7	31.4
=61	301–400	Florida State University	31.0–35.3	32.8	16.2	74.1	65.3	42.6
=61	301–400	George Washington University	31.0–35.3	20.8	17.8	70.2	67.9	60.3
=61	301–400	Northeastern University, US	31.0–35.3	24.9	16.7	83	67.4	60.2
=61	301–400	University of California, Merced	31.0–35.3	28.8	12.2	79.1	67	44.8
=61	301–400	University of California, Riverside	31.0–35.3	27.9	16.3	71.2	43.4	51.2
=61	301–400	University of Georgia (USA)	31.0–35.3	26.2	16.7	76	57.8	47.8
=61	301–400	University of Illinois Chicago	31.0–35.3	27.2	19.3	70.9	85.4	47.8
=61	301–400	University of Iowa	31.0–35.3	27.6	19	67	69.7	43.1
=61	301–400	University of Kansas	31.0–35.3	32	20.4	62.6	68.7	54.4
=61	301–400	University of Miami	31.0–35.3	26.3	14.5	65.4	68.9	52.3
=72	401–500	Brandeis University	27.4–30.9	26.6	15.3	52.7	65.2	67.2
=72	401–500	Case Western Reserve University	27.4–30.9	26.4	11.3	72.2	67.5	49.8
=72	401–500	Georgia State University	27.4–30.9	22.2	14.1	75	61.6	36
=72	401–500	Iowa State University	27.4–30.9	20.6	16.4	68.9	76	35.2
=72	401–500	Mizzou - University of Missouri	27.4–30.9	24.8	12.1	66.7	53.4	50.2
=72	401–500	North Carolina State University	27.4–30.9	25.6	14.5	68.3	62.9	43.1
=72	401–500	Syracuse University	27.4–30.9	24.1	13.3	65.6	58.4	65.1
=72	401–500	The Catholic University of America	27.4–30.9	36.4	17.8	35.3	67.9	33.1
=72	401–500	The New School	27.4–30.9	32.3	18.4	36.5	19.6	58.6
=72	401–500	Tufts University	27.4–30.9	25.5	9.2	63	67.4	52.9
=72	401–500	University at Buffalo	27.4–30.9	23.4	14.5	67.1	67.5	57.6
=72	401–500	University of Delaware	27.4–30.9	20.2	11.6	69.8	66.2	44.6
=72	401–500	University of Kentucky	27.4–30.9	23.7	10.3	67.6	63.8	35.7
=72	401–500	University of South Carolina-Columbia	27.4–30.9	23.4	11.1	68.7	52.3	48.6
=72	401–500	University of South Florida	27.4–30.9	17.8	11.7	71.8	81.2	51.9
=72	401–500	University of Utah	27.4–30.9	21.2	17.8	73	69.8	36.6
=72	401–500	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	27.4–30.9	23.6	11.9	64.8	67.3	57.7
=89	501–600	George Mason University	24.6–27.3	21.3	11.6	63.2	53.8	41.9
=89	501–600	Lehigh University	24.6–27.3	20.7	9.3	50.3	66.2	52.9
=89	501–600	Louisiana State University	24.6–27.3	22.8	11.8	59	48.8	35.1
=89	501–600	Oklahoma State University	24.6–27.3	16.7	7.6	71.2	58.1	41.9
=89	501–600	SUNY Binghamton University	24.6–27.3	19.8	17.5	54.4	56.9	32.3
=89	501–600	SUNY University at Albany	24.6–27.3	17.8	11.1	65.8	69	42.9
=89	501–600	Saint Louis University	24.6–27.3	28.8	12.2	55.6	34.4	29
=89	501–600	Southern Illinois University Carbondale	24.6–27.3	22.2	16.9	44	89.6	28
=89	501–600	Temple University	24.6–27.3	23.9	11.2	60.2	64.1	32.7
=89	501–600	Texas Tech University	24.6–27.3	22.9	9.7	60.3	57	43.4
=89	501–600	The University of Alabama	24.6–27.3	23.3	11.2	68.8	33.4	34.7
=89	501–600	The University of Texas at San Antonio	24.6–27.3	14.9	10.3	85.9	45.5	31.9
=89	501–600	Tulane University	24.6–27.3	25	13.4	54.4	58.8	35.9
=89	501–600	University of Denver	24.6–27.3	23.4	8.6	57.2	61.3	35.2
=89	501–600	University of Houston	24.6–27.3	17.2	10.5	61.7	65.8	54.1
=89	501–600	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	24.6–27.3	20.2	11.5	58.5	55.2	44.3
=89	501–600	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	24.6–27.3	17.6	10.1	71.8	43.7	38.9
=89	501–600	Washington State University	24.6–27.3	16.6	8.6	73.5	68	43
=107	601–800	American University	16.8–24.5	21.4	8.4	66.2	25.2	31.7
=107	601–800	Auburn University	16.8–24.5	19	9.5	50.8	59	42.7
=107	601–800	Colorado State University, Fort Collins	16.8–24.5	12.2	8.4	63.9	50.8	43.2
=107	601–800	Drexel University	16.8–24.5	17.3	8.3	59.1	70.7	49.3
=107	601–800	Florida Atlantic University	16.8–24.5	15.5	13.2	50.7	65.3	45.1
=107	601–800	Florida International University	16.8–24.5	17.6	11.5	51.1	53.5	39.4
=107	601–800	Grand Valley State University	16.8–24.5	16.6	6.6	56.4	17.5	34.5
=107	601–800	Kansas State University	16.8–24.5	21.9	9	39.8	45.2	37.1
=107	601–800	Mississippi State University	16.8–24.5	15.1	6.9	72.1	55	37
=107	601–800	Northern Illinois University	16.8–24.5	18.7	8.1	42.3	55.7	38.1
=107	601–800	Ohio University (Main campus)	16.8–24.5	22.4	9.7	52.5	60.1	31
=107	601–800	Old Dominion University	16.8–24.5	18.2	7.6	42.2	27.4	26.6
=107	601–800	Portland State University	16.8–24.5	14	11.5	56.6	45	29
=107	601–800	Rochester Institute of Technology	16.8–24.5	14.4	7.9	54.5	60.9	43.6
=107	601–800	San Diego State University	16.8–24.5	14.5	6.1	59.1	46	25.2
=107	601–800	Texas State University	16.8–24.5	15.8	8.9	50	25.6	37.3
=107	601–800	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	16.8–24.5	20	8	61.7	56.1	41.9
=107	601–800	University of Arkansas	16.8–24.5	19.9	9.5	62.3	51.6	30.3
=107	601–800	University of Central Florida	16.8–24.5	13	10	59.5	59	32.8
=107	601–800	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	16.8–24.5	8.9	12.7	56.4	71.6	30.1
=107	601–800	University of Memphis	16.8–24.5	18.9	9.5	60.4	65.9	36.5
=107	601–800	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	16.8–24.5	16	10.2	53.2	36.9	30.5
=107	601–800	University of Rhode Island	16.8–24.5	17.6	8.5	51.1	46.5	44.2
=107	601–800	University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	16.8–24.5	15	6.2	52.3	17.7	30.5
=107	601–800	University of Texas at Arlington	16.8–24.5	16.5	10.4	54.2	48	42.6
=107	601–800	University of Texas at Dallas	16.8–24.5	22.3	9.5	50.4	72.4	36.8
=107	601–800	University of Texas at El Paso	16.8–24.5	16.6	10.2	48.2	29.7	36.3
=107	601–800	University of Wyoming	16.8–24.5	22	7.5	60.7	33.7	40.8
=107	601–800	Virginia Commonwealth University	16.8–24.5	13.2	7.6	63.4	72.1	34.2
=107	601–800	Wake Forest University	16.8–24.5	15.8	8.6	56.9	60.2	36.3
=107	601–800	Wayne State University	16.8–24.5	15.9	10.5	50.4	65.4	31.1
=107	601–800	William & Mary	16.8–24.5	23.8	9.7	50.8	41.3	23.3

Key Insights into the top colleges for arts and humanities in the United States 2026

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the top college in the United States for arts and humanities programmes
Stanford University scores highly for research quality
American universities are well represented in the Top 10 of the global arts and humanities ranking, with seven universities present.
The 2026 arts and humanities ranking ranks universities in subject such as languages, literature and linguistics; history; philosophy; theology; architecture; archaeology; and art, performing arts and design.

Choosing a university for arts and humanities

Arts and humanities subjects include history, English literature, philosophy, languages and architecture.

The US is a top destination for many students looking to study arts and humanities subjects.

Universities in the US allow students flexibility when it comes to their studies, in the form of majors and minors. Students might choose to major in a specialist subject, but minor in another discipline, or take a range of elective courses across the arts and humanities in order to graduate with a liberal arts degree.

Choosing where to study the arts and humanities in the United States requires considering a range of factors including teaching and research. These rankings provide critical insights based on:

Research environment – focuses on research reputation and productivity
Teaching quality – the student learning experience and faculty strength
Research quality – influence and innovation in the engineering field
Industry collaboration – how institutions work with businesses and apply practical knowledge
International outlook – global diversity of students and faculty

The table for the best universities for arts and humanities in the US was derived from data collected for the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Arts and Humanities. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.

Best universities in the US for arts and humanities degrees 2026

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Top colleges in the US for arts and humanities degrees 2026

Key Insights into the top colleges for arts and humanities in the United States 2026

Choosing a university for arts and humanities

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