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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k)

816 Ranked Colleges
366,996 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 816 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.

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.

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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 Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k)

1
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Johns Hopkins University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It costs about $8,457 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Johns Hopkins.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Johns Hopkins

2
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $8,375 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Chicago Liberal Arts Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Central New Mexico Community College is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,357 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

CNM excels when it comes to liberal studies quality. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $5,520 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at CNM

4
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 816 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 29 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UPenn is $12,020 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at University of Pennsylvania

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,448 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College excels when it comes to liberal studies quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $4,829 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

6
South Texas College crest
South Texas College
McAllen, Texas

South Texas College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. South Texas College is located in McAllen, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 460 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,531 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend South Texas College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at South Texas College

7
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

With a ranking of #7, Golden West College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this fairly large public school awarded 3,237 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Golden West College excels when it comes to liberal studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $6,739 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Golden West College

8
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 50 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It costs about $12,505 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Georgetown.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Georgetown

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 453 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $9,669 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Liberal Arts Report

10
Wesleyan U crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, Connecticut

With a ranking of #10, Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Middletown, Connecticut, and it awarded 31 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wesleyan U, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wesleyan University is $11,936 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Wesleyan University

11

Metropolitan Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Metropolitan Community College is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 353 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, MCC also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Metropolitan Community College is $5,013 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Metropolitan Community College

12
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 1,446 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County excels when it comes to liberal studies quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $6,557 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full College of Lake County Liberal Arts Report

13
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

St Charles Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Cottleville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 531 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SCC is $4,001 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at St Charles Community College

14
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 618 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,645 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Joliet Junior College

15
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Palm Beach State College is a large public school situated in Lake Worth, Florida. It awarded 4,062 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Palm Beach State College is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Palm Beach State College is $12,237 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Palm Beach State College

16
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

With a ranking of #16, West Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saratoga, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 678 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, West Valley College is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It costs about $5,713 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend West Valley College.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts Report

17
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indian River State College is a fairly large school located in Fort Pierce, Florida that handed out 1,841 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,511 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indian River State College.

Full Indian River State College Liberal Arts Report

18

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 926 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Wilbur Wright College is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $4,617 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

19
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Forsyth Tech is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 501 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Forsyth Tech is $5,043 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Forsyth Technical Community College

20
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,788 students in 2020-2021.

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 Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Pima Community College is $5,851 for Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pima Community College

21
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oakland Community College is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 410 ’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 Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $6,291 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oakland Community College.

Full Oakland Community College Liberal Arts Report

22
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

Ventura College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,796 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $4,076 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Ventura College Liberal Arts Report

23
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

MiraCosta College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,732 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $6,184 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts Report

24
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, Texas

Northwest Vista College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwest Vista College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 62 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Northwest Vista College also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $8,214 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest Vista College.

Full Northwest Vista College Liberal Arts Report

25

Suffolk County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Suffolk County Community College is located in Selden, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Suffolk County Community College also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Suffolk County Community College is $7,490 for liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Suffolk County Community College

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
28
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina
29
30
31
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Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina
32
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois
33
34
Chesapeake College crest
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, Maryland
35
Frederick Community College crest
Frederick Community College
Frederick, Maryland
36
37
38
39
Central Texas College crest
Central Texas College
Killeen, Texas
40
Middlesex Community College crest
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, Massachusetts
41
41
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida
43
LCC crest
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan
44
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York
45
46
47
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
48
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
49
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina
50
Tallahassee Community College crest
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, Florida

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Liberal Studies Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CA
52Cleveland Community CollegeShelby, NC
53San Antonio CollegeSan Antonio, TX
53Beaufort County Community CollegeWashington, NC
55Lorain County Community CollegeElyria, OH
56Wallace Community College, DothanDothan, AL
57College of the SequoiasVisalia, CA
58Garden City Community CollegeGarden City, KS
59McHenry County CollegeCrystal Lake, IL
60California State University - NorthridgeNorthridge, CA
61Oklahoma City Community CollegeOklahoma City, OK
62Metropolitan Community College - Kansas CityKansas City, MO
63Lenoir Community CollegeKinston, NC
64Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis, IN
65Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville, NC
RankCollegeLocation
66Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson, NC
67Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, CA
68University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL
69Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen, AR
70William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine, IL
71Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
72Lincoln Land Community CollegeSpringfield, IL
73Montgomery CollegeRockville, MD
74Washtenaw Community CollegeAnn Arbor, MI
75South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL
76McLennan Community CollegeWaco, TX
77Delta CollegeUniversity Center, MI
78Oakton Community CollegeDes Plaines, IL
79College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV
80California State University - StanislausTurlock, CA
81Henry Ford CollegeDearborn, MI
82Central Arizona CollegeCoolidge, AZ
83Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte, NC
84Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro, NC
85University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN
86Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnati, OH
87City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley CollegeChicago, IL
88City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X CollegeChicago, IL
89St Petersburg CollegeClearwater, FL
90College of the AlbemarleElizabeth City, NC
RankCollegeLocation
91City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman CollegeChicago, IL
92Housatonic Community CollegeBridgeport, CT
93State Fair Community CollegeSedalia, MO
94Chemeketa Community CollegeSalem, OR
95Eastern Florida State CollegeCocoa, FL
96Gateway Community CollegeNew Haven, CT
97Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville, SC
98Orange County Community CollegeMiddletown, NY
99Colorado Mountain CollegeGlenwood Springs, CO
100Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL
101California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
101Surry Community CollegeDobson, NC
103West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
104Northeast Alabama Community CollegeRainsville, AL
105Georgia Highlands CollegeRome, GA
106Mitchell Community CollegeStatesville, NC
107Walters State Community CollegeMorristown, TN
108Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos Angeles, CA
108Georgia State University-Perimeter CollegeAtlanta, GA
110Mountwest Community and Technical CollegeHuntington, WV
111Caldwell Community College and Technical InstituteHudson, NC
112Florence-Darlington Technical CollegeFlorence, SC
113Nash Community CollegeRocky Mount, NC
114Southwest Tennessee Community CollegeMemphis, TN
115Pensacola State CollegePensacola, FL
RankCollegeLocation
116Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey, IL
117Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia, SC
118Sinclair Community CollegeDayton, OH
118Los Medanos CollegePittsburg, CA
120Palo Alto CollegeSan Antonio, TX
121NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR
122California State University - BakersfieldBakersfield, CA
123Bergen Community CollegeParamus, NJ

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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