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What Is a Liberal Arts College (LAC)?
Think of an LAC as a “college of arts and sciences” at a university that is removed from a broader institution. And then created as a stand-alone school. It has exactly the same sort of undergraduate curriculum that exists at a university. But the LAC is completely separated from graduate programs.
An LAC offers only undergraduate degrees. Most offer the BA, but some might offer other degrees, including a BS, BM, or even a BBA.
Because it is an entirely undergraduate institution, there are no graduate students in an LAC. Professors teach all classes, even discussion sections and laboratories, because there are no graduate programs at a LAC.
Because they are generally smaller, LACs also offer smaller class sizes than those generally found at larger universities. Thus it is often easier to make personal connections in the classroom, both with professors and peers.
Learn more about the differences between liberal arts colleges and public flagship universities:
How Should the Research University vs. Liberal Arts College Decision Factor Into Building Our College List?
The most effective approach is to avoid an either/or mentality and instead build a balanced college list that thoughtfully includes both research universities and liberal arts colleges. This is exactly the strategy that experienced admissions counselors recommend.
Sarah emphasizes fit over prestige when constructing a list: “When a student is looking at a school and imagining spending four years there, they have to be their best self. They have to be comfortable. They don’t want to be overwhelmed academically. They want to find their people, and they want to have opportunities to grow and to connect with their professors and advisors.”
Jamie, who has guided students to acceptances at institutions ranging from MIT and Northwestern to selective liberal arts colleges, takes a practical approach to list-building. He emphasizes the value of finding “hidden gems — schools off the beaten path, more in your target and ‘likely’ area that you hadn’t thought of.” These often include outstanding liberal arts colleges that families overlook because they are less familiar names, but where students may receive superior teaching, stronger mentorship, and significantly more financial aid.
A well-constructed college list, as outlined in Great College Advice’s methodology, divides schools into categories of “reach,” “target,” and “likely” — and ideally includes both research universities and liberal arts colleges across those tiers. This approach gives students the best chance of landing at a school where they will truly thrive, both academically and in their eventual career.
Choose Your Best-Fit College with Expert Help
The Great College Advice team — six counselors with over 100 combined years of experience in college admissions — works with each family to match the student’s personality, academic interests, and career aspirations to the right mix of institutions. As Berger notes, “You’re not just hiring me — you’re hiring all six of us, because we meet once a week, talk about our clients, and bounce things off each other. We all are in different regions of the country with different areas of expertise.”
Ultimately, the research university vs. liberal arts college question is not about which type is objectively better for careers. It is about which environment will help your specific student develop into their best, most capable self. And making that determination — with clarity, strategy, and expert guidance — is the foundation of a successful college application process.
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