2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Schools
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in liberal arts in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $42,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,592 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $56,503. That is a strong return on a $25,592 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $29,723 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $55,570. That is a strong return on a $29,723 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $38,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $55,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $26,094. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
San Diego State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,496 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $23,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,496 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $64,717. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $29,746. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $33,708. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,546. Liberal Arts graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $30,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $39,198. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $48,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,993 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $74,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,426. Liberal Arts graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $45,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $17,921. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $59,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Dallas earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,411. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,411 median debt. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $68,293. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
St Johns College New Mexico landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,514. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Johns College New Mexico generally make around $23,029. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns College New Mexico admits about 53% of applicants.
Wesleyan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $53,815. Set against $21,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $42,350 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $40,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
Other Liberal Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best-value liberal arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
