2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Georgia
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 24 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Georgia
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 Dalton State College, our #1 best value for liberal arts in Georgia. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $23,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Highlands College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $10,080 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,166 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Tifton. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,588. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College generally make around $28,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $37,588. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $27,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at University Of North Georgia, which ranked #5. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $31,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,484 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Gordon State College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,628, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $17,375. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Gordon State College generally make around $22,725. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,248, compared with $10,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Atlanta Metropolitan State College earn a median of $23,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Savannah State University earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,770. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia State College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,274. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,002. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
East Georgia State College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. East Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Swainsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,900, while out-of-state students pay about $9,860. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from East Georgia State College generally make around $24,900. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Valdosta State University earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,441. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Georgia Perimeter College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Perimeter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,104, compared with $10,064 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Georgia Perimeter College earn a median of $29,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Georgia Perimeter College admits about 91% of applicants.
Fort Valley State University placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,878. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $39,693. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Albany State University landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Albany State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, with out-of-state students paying around $17,008. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,149. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Albany State University generally make around $28,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Georgia State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $35,225 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $48,207. That is a strong return on a $35,225 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
College Of Coastal Georgia earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. College Of Coastal Georgia is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,616, with out-of-state students paying around $10,936. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $19,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Coastal Georgia generally make around $40,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Coastal Georgia admits about 98% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $34,576. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Gwinnett College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $21,280. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Shorter University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,630. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $44,407. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Brenau University came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,757 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $36,299 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Brenau University generally make around $59,258. Set against $36,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.
Toccoa Falls College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Toccoa Falls, Toccoa Falls College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,950. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Toccoa Falls College generally make around $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Toccoa Falls College admits about 66% of applicants.
Mercer University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $46,033 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Emory University Oxford College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Oxford, Emory University Oxford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,260 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Emory University Oxford College generally make around $7,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory University Oxford College admits about 13% of applicants.
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
