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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k)

705 Ranked Colleges
262,184 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 $48-$75k” 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 705 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k

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

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

#4 in overall quality

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 $48-$75k. HCC is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3,253 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

HCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for HCC is $9,727 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at HCC

#2

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pasadena City College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pasadena City College is a large school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 1,615 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Pasadena City College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,024 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Pasadena City College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pasadena City College

#3

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, Florida
#21 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indian River State College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indian River State College is located in Fort Pierce, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,032 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Indian River State College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indian River State College is $3,889 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Indian River State College

#4

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
Top 10% in overall quality

Out of the 705 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the #4 spot on the list. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 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 $2,962 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend South Texas College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at South Texas College

#5

Tallahassee Community College

Tallahassee, Florida
#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tallahassee Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k. Tallahassee Community College is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,554 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Tallahassee Community College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tallahassee Community College is $5,989 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Tallahassee Community College

#6

Valencia College

Orlando, Florida
#6 in overall quality

Valencia College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 7,122 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valencia College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $7,650 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Valencia College

Top 5% in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State College at Jacksonville is a large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 1,579 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

FSCJ also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category. It costs about $6,300 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Florida State College at Jacksonville

#8

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
#25 in overall quality

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,353 students in 2019-2020.

Central Piedmont Community College also took the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Piedmont Community College is $7,087 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Piedmont Community College

#9

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
Top 5% in overall quality

Golden West College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Huntington Beach, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,672 students in 2019-2020.

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 ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $6,285 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Golden West College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Golden West College

#10

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, Florida
Top 10% in overall quality

St Petersburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. SPC is a large school located in Clearwater, Florida that handed out 3,098 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

SPC 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. The yearly cost to attend St Petersburg College is $6,402 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at St Petersburg College

#16 in overall quality

Suffolk County Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Selden, New York, and it awarded 44 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Suffolk County Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $7,652 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Suffolk County Community College.

Full Suffolk County Community College Liberal Arts Report

#11 in overall quality

Collin County Community College District ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Collin County Community College District is a large public school situated in McKinney, Texas. It awarded 1,640 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Collin County Community College District also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $7,898 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Collin County Community College District.

Full Collin County Community College District Liberal Arts Report

#13

Nassau Community College

Garden City, New York
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Nassau Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Garden City, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 75 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Nassau Community College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,434 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Nassau Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Nassau Community College

#14

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
Top 10% in overall quality

Elgin Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 604 students 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. It costs about $6,022 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ECC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at ECC

#15

Florida Gateway College

Lake City, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

Florida Gateway College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Florida Gateway College is a small school located in Lake City, Florida that handed out 378 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, FGC is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Florida Gateway College is $3,881 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at FGC

#16

Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida
Top 10% in overall quality

Miami Dade College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Miami Dade College is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 9,082 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, MDC 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. The yearly cost to attend Miami Dade College is $6,704 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Miami Dade College Liberal Arts Report

#17

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
Top 10% in overall quality

College of Lake County came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 831 degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $6,232 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

#18

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
Top 20% in overall quality

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Moraine Valley Community College is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 682 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on this list, MVCC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. It costs about $5,411 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MVCC

#19

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
#5 in overall quality

Bellevue College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Bellevue, Washington, this fairly large public school awarded 1,350 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

BC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $10,173 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bellevue College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at BC

Top 15% in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 698 students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $5,208 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harold Washington College

Top 20% in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 427 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Wilbur Wright College 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 yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $4,911 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Wilbur Wright College

#22

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
Top 15% in overall quality

Pima Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this fairly large public school handed out 866 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students 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 ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Pima Community College is $5,659 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pima County Community College District

Top 10% in overall quality

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,804 students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Cuyahoga Community College District also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. It costs about $7,215 for Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cuyahoga Community College District

Top 10% in overall quality

Eastern Florida State College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Florida State College is a fairly large public school situated in Cocoa, Florida. It awarded 2,275 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, EFSC also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend EFSC is $6,482 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Eastern Florida State College Liberal Arts Report

#25

Pensacola State College

Pensacola, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Pensacola State College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pensacola State College is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,211 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pensacola State is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Pensacola State College is $4,818 for associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pensacola State College

Rest of the Best 51 in Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $48-$75k

Not only did these schools make the top 51 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
#27

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
#28

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington
#29

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#30

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#31

Chabot College

Hayward, California
#32

Cleveland Community College

Shelby, North Carolina
#33

North Florida College

Madison, Florida
#34

Ventura College

Ventura, California
#35

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
#36

Rowan College at Burlington County

Mount Laurel, New Jersey
#37

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#39

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri
#40

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
#41

Florida SouthWestern State College

Fort Myers, Florida
#43

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
#44

Pasco-Hernando State College

New Port Richey, Florida
#46

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
#47

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
#48

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#49

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California
#50

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#50

Delta College

University Center, Michigan

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

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

Rank College Location
52 Grossmont College El Cajon, CA
53 Montgomery College Rockville, MD
54 Palomar College San Marcos, CA
55 Triton College River Grove, IL
56 Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC
57 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
58 South Florida State College Avon Park, FL
59 Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX
60 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
61 College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
62 Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO
63 Seattle Central College Seattle, WA
64 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL
65 Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, IL
66 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NC
Rank College Location
67 City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College Chicago, IL
68 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
69 Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY
70 Bunker Hill Community College Boston, MA
71 Chesapeake College Wye Mills, MD
72 Bergen Community College Paramus, NJ
73 Queensborough Community College Bayside, NY
74 Middlesex Community College Bedford, MA
74 Richmond Community College Hamlet, NC
76 Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OK
76 Lake-Sumter State College Leesburg, FL
78 Chipola College Marianna, FL
79 Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CA
80 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC
81 Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA
82 Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NY
83 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA
84 Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC
85 Orange County Community College Middletown, NY
86 College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL
87 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
88 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
89 Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
90 West Valley College Saratoga, CA
91 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL
Rank College Location
92 College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MD
93 Pitt Community College Winterville, NC
94 City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Chicago, IL
95 Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH
96 North Seattle College Seattle, WA
96 Wallace Community College, Dothan Dothan, AL
96 Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HI
99 Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC
100 Union County College Cranford, NJ
101 Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA
102 Randolph Community College Asheboro, NC
103 Craven Community College New Bern, NC
104 Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY
105 Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TN
106 Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR

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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