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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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.
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,660 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,693. That is a strong return on a $8,660 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $28,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Mercer County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,870 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,586. That is a strong return on a $5,870 median debt.
Essex County College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $25,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Camden County College, which ranked #5. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,789. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,655. Set against $9,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $21,336 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Warren County Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $25,541 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $25,989. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Passaic County Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $25,017. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $21,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sussex County Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,375. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,293. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bergen Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,966. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Cumberland County College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $26,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $20,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,749. Liberal Arts graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $25,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Students borrow a median of $17,232 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Salem Community College earn a median of $51,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Peters College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $29,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,944. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kean University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Gloucester County College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $26,187. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,469. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $32,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
