Students majoring in the College comprise almost one-third of NSU's student body, with all students taking classes in the College to fulfill their liberal arts requirements.

The College prides itself on outstanding teaching. The majority of faculty have earned doctoral or other terminal professional degrees - many from the most prestigious universities in the United States and abroad. In addition, Arts and Sciences faculty have won some two-thirds of all "Excellence-In-Teaching" honors that NSU has awarded over the past fifteen years. and they have won fifteen of the seventeen Burlington Northern Outstanding Faculty Awards which emphasize both teaching and research.

While teaching excellence is the College's number one priority, many of the faculty are active scholars, writing for both national and international audiences. Many special opportunities are available for students. Departments within the College of Arts and Sciences administer dynamic internships where students are placed in the community to gain first-hand experience in public and private agencies, schools, businesses and social service settings. The College organizes overseas learning experiences in Europe and in Mexico, trips to Washington, D.C. and other major cities in the United States. In addition, strong emphasis is placed on combining in-class learning with experiential learning across the curriculum. Learning opportunities range from laboratory experiences and group learning exercises to travel and off-campus events.