Liberal arts colleges on the East Coast are highly-regarded institutions of higher learning. In fact, the majority of top liberal arts colleges are located on the East Coast. If you are curious about what sets liberal arts colleges apart from other colleges and universities or want to know the advantages of receiving a liberal arts education, read on! In this article, we will provide key statistics and information regarding East Coast liberal arts colleges, while highlighting the best East Coast liberal arts colleges.

What is a liberal arts college?

Liberal arts colleges are small private colleges that emphasize the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences within their undergraduate curriculum. Students who attend liberal arts colleges gain exposure to a wide range of academic disciplines, with about half of their classes falling outside of their major. In this way, liberal arts colleges follow a very different structure than research universities, technical programs, and other forms of higher education. 

How many liberal arts colleges are in the U.S.? This statistic can vary, depending on various factors, but generally, there are about 200 liberal arts colleges in the United States. The majority of these are East Coast liberal arts schools, though there are several notable liberal arts colleges in both the Midwest and the West Coast, particularly in California. That said, liberal arts colleges in the Northeast have a long-standing reputation as being some of the most prestigious liberal arts schools on the East Coast and in the country.

If you are interested in small liberal arts colleges in the Northeast, there are several excellent women’s colleges to consider as well, including Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Wellesley College, and Simmons University (all located in Massachusetts). 

The benefits of a liberal arts education​

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There are several benefits to receiving a liberal arts education. As a student, you are exposed to a wide range of academic disciplines. This encourages creative and critical thinking skills. It can also be helpful for students who are undecided about their major.

The small class sizes often lend themselves to discussion-based courses and each student receives a lot of individualized attention. The professors are also known for prioritizing their teaching duties above their own research projects. Overall, these are among the top reasons why East Coast liberal arts colleges are held in such high regard. 

Let’s review the key reasons why liberal arts colleges, especially on the East Coast, are so desirable:

  • Small class sizes
  • Discussion-based classes
  • Lots of individualized attention
  • Exposure to a variety of academic disciplines

Liberal arts colleges on the east coast

In this section, we will review notable liberal arts colleges on the East Coast. For each East Coast liberal arts college, we will provide the college’s: 

  • Location
  • Undergraduate student population
  • Acceptance rate
  • U.S. News College Ranking

If you are interested in learning more about liberal arts colleges on the East Coast, read on for key facts and figures. 

Amherst College

Amherst College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 1,970. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 12.8%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Amherst College is ranked #2 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Bard College

Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 1,800. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 58.1%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bard College is ranked #62 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Barnard College

Barnard College is located in New York City, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 2,744. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 12.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Barnard College is ranked #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Bates College

Bates College is located in Lewiston, Maine, and has an undergraduate population of 1,876. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 15.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bates College is ranked #25 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine, and has an undergraduate population of 1,777. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 10.2%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bowdoin College is ranked #6 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,300. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 32.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bryn Mawr College is ranked #30 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Bucknell University

Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 3,757. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 34.5%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bucknell University is ranked #30 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Colby College

Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine, and has an undergraduate population of 2,155. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 13.1%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Colby College is tied as #17 for top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Colgate University

Colgate University is located in Hamilton, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 3,042. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 23.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Colgate University is tied as #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

College of the Holy Cross

College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 2,997. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 34.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, College of the Holy Cross is tied for #35 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Connecticut College

Connecticut College is located in New London, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 1,737. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 37%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Connecticut College is tied for #50 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Davidson College

Davidson College is located in Davidson, North Carolina, and has an undergraduate population of 1,983. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 16.8%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Davidson College is tied for #13 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Dickinson College

Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,932. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 41.6%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Dickinson College is tied for #50 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 2,254. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 30.9%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Franklin and Marshall College is tied at #42 for top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 2,505. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 43%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Gettysburg College is tied at #54 for top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Hamilton College

Hamilton College is located in Clinton, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 1,900. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 19%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Hamilton College is tied for #13 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Hampshire College

Hampshire College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 522. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 63%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Hampshire College is tied for #141 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Haverford College

Haverford College is located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,307. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 18.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Haverford College is ranked #16 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Lafayette College

Lafayette College is located in Easton, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 2,514. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 31.5%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Lafayette College is tied for #38 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Middlebury College

Middlebury College is located in Middlebury, Vermont, and has an undergraduate population of 2,580. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 15%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Middlebury College is tied for #9 for top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 1,915. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 42.8%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Mount Holyoke College is tied for #30 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Skidmore College

Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 2,582. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 26%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Skidmore College is tied for #38 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Smith College

Smith College is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 21,83. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 30.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Smith College is tied for #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,437. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 9.2%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Swarthmore College is ranked #3 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Trinity College

Trinity College is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 2,200. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 31.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Trinity College is ranked tied for #46 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Vassar College

Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 2,435. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 22.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Vassar College is tied for #22 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Wellesley College

Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 2,280. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 20.4%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Wellesley College is ranked as #5 of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 2,852. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 17.4%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Wesleyan University is tied for #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Williams College

Williams College is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 1,962. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 8.5%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Williamstown College is ranked as #1 of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Key takeaways

Like many highly-selective colleges, liberal arts colleges use holistic college admissions standards to select their incoming classes. This is why it is often important to have meaningful extracurricular activities included in your college application. Liberal arts colleges, especially the best small liberal arts colleges on the East Coast, offer students a well-rounded education while fostering creative and critical thinking skills. Their small class sizes also set them apart from other institutions of higher learning. Students often receive a lot of individualized attention from their professors. Furthermore, liberal arts professors are known for prioritizing their teaching duties above their own research projects, setting them apart from larger, research universities. 

If you have any questions about liberal arts colleges, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about our services. Regardless of where you are in your college search or college applications, our professionals can provide valuable guidance throughout the application process. Whether you are interested in learning how to get into an Ivy League college or how to write a unique college essay, we can help. 

Picture by Adam Fagen.

Liberal Arts Colleges in the East

Liberal arts colleges are small private colleges that emphasize the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences within their undergraduate curriculum. Students who attend liberal arts colleges gain exposure to a wide range of academic disciplines, with about half of their classes falling outside of their major. In this way, liberal arts colleges follow a very different structure than research universities, technical programs, and other forms of higher education.

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10 Monday Motivation Tricks

Work motivators primarily relate to your schedule and routine. Set yourself up for success by forming healthy habits. Go to bed and wake up early. Stay hydrated and practice healthy eating. Make yourself a schedule for the week and do your best to follow it. Set achievable goals for yourself and practice self-care.

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It can be difficult to know how to stay focused and productive at work — especially if it’s Monday. This is why having a list of motivational tips for work and (more specifically) motivation Monday tips can be so helpful. 

Following consistent routines allows us to use our time productively. In turn, this allows us to take breaks. Taking periodic breaks from work can do wonders for your overall productivity and sense of motivation. This is why it is important to know how to ask for time off of work. 

Of course, not everyone can afford to take time off of work. If this is the case, there are lots of other balanced, healthy ways to know how to stay motivated at work. One of these methods is to engage in a daily motivator for work. Or to follow other work motivation tips — which we will cover in this motivation Monday article. 

Overall, work motivation tips and other work motivators can help you achieve a healthy work-life balance while managing both your physical and mental health. So if you’re wondering how to stay focused at work for 8 hours or are interested in learning motivational tips for employees, review our 10 Monday motivation tricks!  

01

Go to bed early and limit screen time

It’s important to start your work week feeling well-rested and prepared. Do your best to go to bed early and limit your screen time before bed. To achieve a good night’s rest, limit screen time at least an hour before bed. 

02

Wake up early

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Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your college counseling or career coaching needs.

If you press snooze too many times, you’ll leave the house feeling rushed and you might not have time to do everything you need to. One way to avoid this is to physically place your phone or alarm clock out of arm’s reach. This way you will have to physically get out of bed to turn it off. 

03

Follow a morning routine

Routines can feel soothing and help ease us into our days. This is especially important on a Monday; when you are transitioning back into your work week. Design a routine that feels good for you. Some common morning routines include: taking a shower, making your bed, drinking coffee, making breakfast, packing lunch, and taking your dog for a walk.

04

Make a schedule

Maximize your time and productivity by making yourself a schedule. Plan out your tasks for the day and outline

the rest of your week. Write yourself reminders for deadlines and appointments. 

05

Write a list of goals for the week

Set achievable goals for yourself. This will help boost your overall sense of motivation and morale. Try to set several small daily goals and one or two larger goals for the week.

06

Engage in physical activity

Being physically active can help improve your mood and increase the quality of your sleep while helping you stay physically healthy. Some popular physical activities include: running, practicing yoga, working out at the gym, hiking, or taking a walk.

07

Stay hydrated and practice healthy eating

It’s important to drink enough water and stay hydrated, especially if you consume a lot of caffeine. Staying hydrated will help you feel more alert and refreshed while helping to prevent headaches. You should also try your best to practice healthy eating habits. 

08

Practice self-care

Ask yourself each week: What self-care practices could I benefit from this week? Likely the answer will change depending on the week. Common self-care practices include: taking a nap, preparing a favorite meal, receiving a massage, getting a manicure or pedicure, spending quality time with friends and family, practicing a hobby, listening to music, attending therapy, and going to a yoga or dance class.

09

Take breaks

Taking short, periodic breaks during your work day will help you stay motivated and on task. Take a quick walk to stretch your legs. Make a cup of coffee. Spend a moment chatting with your coworker. 

10

Schedule something to look forward to later in the week

It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance by having things to look forward to during the week. Try to plan out a fun activity to make your work week pass by more quickly. 

Motivation Monday questions

It’s important to periodically check in with yourself and reflect on your career and overall lifestyle. Here are some motivation Monday questions to ask yourself:

  • What are your top three priorities right now?
  • How can you encourage yourself to form healthy habits and routines?
  • Do you feel well-rested?
  • What inspires you?
  • What do you wish you had more time for? How can you find the time?
  • What self-care practices could you benefit from this week?
  • What are you thankful for?

Key takeaways and moving forward

Work motivators primarily relate to your schedule and routine. Set yourself up for success by forming healthy habits. Go to bed and wake up early. Stay hydrated and practice healthy eating. Make yourself a schedule for the week and do your best to follow it. Set achievable goals for yourself and practice self-care.

Overall, motivation Monday tips are great ways to stay motivated at work. That said, if you have to consistently ask yourself how do I keep myself motivated at work? take time to reflect on your current job and overall lifestyle. 

Employees who consistently feel stressed and drained may be working in a toxic work environment. If this is the

case, it is important to identify key issues and take active steps to address these issues. This could include scheduling time to speak with a manager or HR representative. Many people also seek outside guidance through counseling and therapy. 

You deserve to have a job where you feel fulfilled, appreciated, and safe. If you do not feel like this is the case, you may want to consider finding a new career or exploring alternative employment opportunities. If you have any questions or concerns about your current or future career, reach out to learn more about our services.