by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,791. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $20,759 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,665. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $33,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,511. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Shore Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. West Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Scottville. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,387. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,852. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $27,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Delta College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,721. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Monroe County Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,759 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,488. Liberal Arts graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $30,539 early in their careers. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,264. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $27,926. Set against $11,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $37,347 early in their careers. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,057. Liberal Arts graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $15,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,197 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $30,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,197 median debt.
Mott Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $16,668 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $29,958 early in their careers. Set against $16,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,422. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Students borrow a median of $10,896 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $22,272 early in their careers. Set against $10,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Michigan College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,445 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lake Michigan College generally make around $50,185. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montcalm Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. Students from in state pay about $3,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,104 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,405 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,150. That is a strong return on a $13,405 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,644. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $33,777. That is a strong return on a $13,644 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $30,703. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Jackson Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $36,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kirtland Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,088. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Glen Oaks Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,764 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,987. That is a strong return on a $13,764 median debt.
Mid Michigan Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts this year. Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Harrison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,132, compared with $10,864 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,425. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mid Michigan Community College generally make around $27,136. Set against $14,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.