by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 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.
Our analysis ranked Delaware County Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,277. That is a strong return on a $14,797 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Westmoreland County Community College, which ranked #2. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $32,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,868. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $19,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peirce College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $15,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $44,247 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Peirce College generally make around $53,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $25,339. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,217 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $25,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,217 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $23,879. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,643. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,128 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $31,805. Set against $27,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,038. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $39,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $30,140 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $33,989. Set against $30,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
La Salle University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $4,004 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $23,774 early in their careers. Set against $4,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,958. Liberal Arts graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $50,933 early in their careers. Set against $25,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Carlow University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $30,222. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $66,938. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lackawanna College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,400. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $13,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Vincent College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,986. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $54,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Wilkes University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,442. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
This ranking is produced 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.