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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Granite State College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in New Hampshire. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,770. Liberal Arts graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $54,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lakes Region Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the town of Laconia, Lakes Region Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,720, while out-of-state students pay about $14,970. Median earnings reach $51,182 ten years out.
Manchester Community College Nh came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Manchester, Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,090, while out-of-state students pay about $15,340. Median earnings reach $49,063 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at White Mountains Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Berlin, White Mountains Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, compared with $15,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,250. Liberal Arts graduates of White Mountains Community College earn a median of $60,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Great Bay Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $35,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nhti Concords Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Nhti Concords Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Concord. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Nhti Concords Community College generally make around $30,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nashua Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,140, with out-of-state students paying around $15,390. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,497. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.