2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Arkansas
[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 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Leading the list is Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, our #1 best value for liberal arts in Arkansas. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $29,547. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, which ranked #2. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $27,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Northwest Arkansas Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Students borrow a median of $10,876 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $31,313. That is a strong return on a $10,876 median debt.
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $17,381.
Black River Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,428. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $33,747. That is a strong return on a $10,428 median debt.
Ozarka College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $48,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Forrest City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $25,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid South Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,857 ten years after entry.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,027 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,027 median debt.
South Arkansas Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,324 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,532. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,883. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Students borrow a median of $8,950 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,710. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,488. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ouachitas placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $28,907. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,949. Liberal Arts graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $27,317 early in their careers. Set against $8,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. In-state tuition and fees average $3,885, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $20,664 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $26,728. That is a strong return on a $20,664 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,156 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $24,763 early in their careers. Set against $9,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $34,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,100. Liberal Arts graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $36,292 early in their careers. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
National Park Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,506. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $26,073. Set against $15,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pulaski Technical College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Pulaski Technical College earn a median of $30,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williams Baptist College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,070 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Williams Baptist College earn a median of $31,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
