2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arkansas
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arkansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Northwest Arkansas Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Arkansas. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,876. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $31,313. That is a strong return on a $10,876 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #2 place for general studies. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,018. General Studies graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $29,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $17,381.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,440 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,835. Set against $6,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black River Technical College earned it the #5 place for general studies. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,428 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $33,747 early in their careers. Set against $10,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,928. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,883. Early-career general studies graduates make about $44,500. Set against $8,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,027 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,480. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $27,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ouachitas landed the #12 spot for general studies value this year. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. In-state tuition and fees average $3,788, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $28,907 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,949. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $27,317. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,664 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $26,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $24,763. Set against $9,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,881. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $36,292. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned the #20 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $34,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
National Park Community College landed the #21 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Students borrow a median of $15,506 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $26,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,228. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $30,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $20,683. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pulaski Technical College landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,875. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,187. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
