2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.
At the associate degree level specifically, there were 262,184 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 711 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hillsborough Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Tampa, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 3,253 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
HCC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hillsborough Community College is $3,203 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pasadena City College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,615 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pasadena City College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $2,158 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Out of the 711 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State College at Jacksonville landed the #3 spot on the list. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,579 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, FSCJ is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend FSCJ is $2,126 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Florida State College at Jacksonville
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Petersburg College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. SPC is located in Clearwater, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3,098 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on this list, SPC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $1,454 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SPC.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Nassau Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Garden City, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
Nassau Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Nassau Community College is $2,007 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tallahassee Community College is a fairly large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 2,554 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Tallahassee Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Tallahassee Community College is $2,725 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Tallahassee Community College
Suffolk County Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Suffolk County Community College is located in Selden, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Suffolk County Community College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Suffolk County Community College is $2,632 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Palos Hills, Illinois. It awarded 682 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, MVCC also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $340 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.
Indian River State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indian River State College is a fairly large school located in Fort Pierce, Florida that handed out 2,032 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Indian River State College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $1,402 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Indian River State College
South Texas College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Texas College is a large school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 333 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
South Texas College excels when it comes to liberal studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $904 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Texas College.
Oakland Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oakland Community College is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 470 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Oakland Community College is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $-51 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.
Golden West College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,672 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Golden West College is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $1,941 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Valencia College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 7,122 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
Valencia College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $4,870 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a ranking of #14, Elgin Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Elgin Community College is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 604 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, ECC is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Elgin Community College is $2,384 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a ranking of #15, Ventura College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 773 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $506 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Cleveland Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cleveland Community College is a public institution located in Shelby, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 161 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $4,073 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cleveland Community College.
Collin County Community College District ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in McKinney, Texas, this large public school awarded 1,640 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
Collin County Community College District also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $4,565 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Collin County Community College District Liberal Arts Report
Florida Gateway College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. FGC is a public institution located in Lake City, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 378 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, FGC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida Gateway College is $822 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 777 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
CNM excels when it comes to liberal studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $2,604 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CNM.
University of Central Florida landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 371 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
UCF also took the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $6,211 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 1,804 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Cuyahoga Community College District also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cuyahoga Community College District is $3,635 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cuyahoga Community College District
Orange County Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Orange County Community College is a medium-sized school located in Middletown, New York that handed out 155 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Orange County Community College is $1,179 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 427 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Wilbur Wright College also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $2,127 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.
Pima Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 866 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pima County Community College District is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Pima Community College is $2,574 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Pima County Community College District
College of Lake County did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 831 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, College of Lake County also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $3,742 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of Lake County.
Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA |
| 52 | Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel, NJ |
| 53 | St Charles Community College | Cottleville, MO |
| 54 | Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York, NY |
| 55 | Palomar College | San Marcos, CA |
| 56 | Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OH |
| 57 | Wallace Community College, Dothan | Dothan, AL |
| 58 | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL |
| 59 | South Florida State College | Avon Park, FL |
| 60 | Queensborough Community College | Bayside, NY |
| 61 | Triton College | River Grove, IL |
| 62 | Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth, FL |
| 63 | Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA |
| 64 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL |
| 65 | Kingsborough Community College | Brooklyn, NY |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College | Chicago, IL |
| 92 | El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX |
| 93 | Montgomery College | Rockville, MD |
| 94 | City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 95 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 96 | Chesapeake College | Wye Mills, MD |
| 96 | MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA |
| 98 | Middlesex Community College | Bedford, MA |
| 99 | Norco College | Norco, CA |
| 100 | City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College | Chicago, IL |
| 101 | Georgia Highlands College | Rome, GA |
| 102 | South Suburban College | South Holland, IL |
| 103 | Chemeketa Community College | Salem, OR |
| 104 | McLennan Community College | Waco, TX |
| 105 | Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville, TN |
| 106 | Shoreline Community College | Shoreline, WA |
| 106 | Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI |
| 106 | Whatcom Community College | Bellingham, WA |
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the New England Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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