by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1597 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Irvine Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $5,754 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 $5,754 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes Santiago Canyon College one of the best values for liberal arts. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,550. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. Set against $6,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Golden West College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,397. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,100 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,987. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
Canada College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,914 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $16,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,914 median debt.
Trident Technical College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,001. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $16,001 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,928. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,939. Liberal Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $4,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $33,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $32,568. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $29,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
These institutions also earned high marks for liberal arts value:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in liberal arts:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #123 | Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | Full Report |
| #124 | Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | Full Report |
| #125 | Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College | New York, NY | Full Report |
| #126 | Vance Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | Full Report |
| #127 | Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA | Full Report |
| #128 | Cuny Queensborough Community College | Bayside, NY | Full Report |
| #129 | West Shore Community College | Scottville, MI | Full Report |
Explore the best-value liberal arts schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1597 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 645 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.