[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 329 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
Our analysis ranked Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $9,376 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,699 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,069. That is a strong return on a $13,699 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $24,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $30,406. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $26,028. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Wilkes Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $29,129. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,876. Set against $11,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $10,909 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.
Rockingham Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $30,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $28,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $20,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Pensacola State College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,660 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,908. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $17,784. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cleveland Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $23,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $28,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $12,037 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,833. Liberal Arts graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $34,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,295. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
This list is compiled 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 · 329 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 329 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).
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
