[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1214 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
Finding the Best Value Liberal Arts School for You
The right liberal arts school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Liberal Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Liberal Arts Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santiago Canyon College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $12,985 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $43,059. Set against $12,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Middlesex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,693. Set against $8,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Trident Technical College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $9,376 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,171 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $30,824 early in their careers. Set against $15,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the liberal arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Moorpark College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $17,075. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,382. Liberal Arts graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $32,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,928. Liberal Arts graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $7,014 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $28,950. Set against $7,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $23,856. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,295. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $29,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $24,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $30,406. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,219. Liberal Arts graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $27,186 early in their careers. Set against $7,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $38,253. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1214 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,214 ranked schools only.
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).
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
