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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k)

57 Ranked Colleges
1,188 Degrees Awarded
$28,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,188 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 28 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Full UPenn Liberal Arts Report

#2

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Johns Hopkins University

#3

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgetown University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Georgetown has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Georgetown

#4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt University Liberal Arts Report

#5

Wesleyan University

Middletown, Connecticut
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wesleyan University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Middletown, Connecticut, and it awarded 20 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Wesleyan U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wesleyan University are $59,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Wesleyan U

#6

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

North Carolina State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at North Carolina State University

Texas A & M University - Central Texas landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Killeen, Texas, and it awarded 2 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A & M University - Central Texas are $13,561.

Full Texas A & M University - Central Texas Liberal Arts Report

#20 in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 27 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#9

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

University of Richmond did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. URichmond is located in University of Richmond, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at URichmond, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Richmond are $25,260, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Liberal Arts at University of Richmond

#10

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Kentucky University are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Northern Kentucky University

#11

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
#12 in overall quality

Stony Brook University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Stony Brook, New York, this large public school awarded 65 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

SUNY Stony Brook also made our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stony Brook University are $25,583.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Stony Brook University

#7 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 20 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Austin has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Liberal Arts Report

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Northwest is a small school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 3 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Northwest Liberal Arts Report

#14

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#24 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Read more about Liberal Arts at San Diego State University

#15

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#21 in overall quality

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middle Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Liberal Arts Report

#16

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Staten Island, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at College of Staten Island CUNY are $21,080, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full College of Staten Island CUNY Liberal Arts Report

#17

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

With a ranking of #17, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in South Bend, Indiana, and it awarded 12 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Indiana University - South Bend

#18

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918.

Full UNC Greensboro Liberal Arts Report

#19

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakland

#23 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 12 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full ASU - Tempe Liberal Arts Report

#21

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Evansville, Indiana, and it awarded 2 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USI are $20,039.

Full University of Southern Indiana Liberal Arts Report

Louisiana State University - Shreveport came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University - Shreveport is a public institution located in Shreveport, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University - Shreveport are $19,731, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Louisiana State University - Shreveport

#23

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #23, University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Asheville, North Carolina, and it awarded 4 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Asheville are $24,358.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UNCA

With a ranking of #24, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are $29,970.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Louisiana State University

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 2 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UM Dearborn are $25,072.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at UM Dearborn

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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