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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

54 Ranked Colleges
1,188 Degrees Awarded
$29,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 54 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at University of Pennsylvania

#2

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #2 spot on the 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.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #1 rank 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 Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Full Johns Hopkins University Liberal Arts Report

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 16 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt Liberal Arts Report

#4

Wesleyan University

Middletown, Connecticut
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wesleyan University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Middletown, Connecticut, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal studies students 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 U are $59,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Wesleyan University

#5

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 14 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 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 Georgetown University are $53,591.

Full Georgetown Liberal Arts Report

#6

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

North Carolina State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at NC State

#7

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Richmond did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Richmond is a small school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 7 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, URichmond has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Richmond are $25,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at University of Richmond

#20 in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 27 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#9

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, this fairly large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Liberal Arts at Northern Kentucky University

#7 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 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 UT Austin are $22,886.

Read more about Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin

Indiana University - Northwest ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Northwest is located in Gary, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 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 Indiana University - Northwest are $18,275.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at IU Northwest

#12

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
#12 in overall quality

Stony Brook University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. SUNY Stony Brook is a large school located in Stony Brook, New York that handed out 65 masters’s liberal studies degrees 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.

Full SUNY Stony Brook Liberal Arts Report

#13

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 2 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Oakland

#14

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

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

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University 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.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, SDSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Diego State University Liberal Arts Report

#16

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Staten Island, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at College of Staten Island CUNY are $21,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of Staten Island CUNY

#17

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#21 in overall quality

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 9 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University also took the #21 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 Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

#18

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 28 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 UNC Greensboro are $21,918.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#23 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 12 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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

Louisiana State University - Shreveport came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Shreveport, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal studies degrees to 3 students 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 - Shreveport are $19,731.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Louisiana State University - Shreveport

#21

Rutgers University - Camden

Camden, New Jersey

With a ranking of #21, Rutgers University - Camden did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rutgers Camden is a medium-sized public school situated in Camden, New Jersey. It awarded 9 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 Rutgers Camden are $31,338.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Rutgers Camden

#22

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Asheville landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal studies students 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 full report on Liberal Arts at University of North Carolina at Asheville

#9 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Oklahoma is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 160 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Oklahoma Liberal Arts Report

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UM Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 2 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Dearborn are $25,072, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Michigan - Dearborn

#25

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware

With a ranking of #25, University of Delaware did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Delaware is a large school located in Newark, Delaware that handed out 1 masters’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #0 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 UD are $35,192.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UD

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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