2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Arizona
[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 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 21 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Arizona
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Pima Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,680. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $29,819 early in their careers. Set against $10,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mohave Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tohono Oodham Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $932. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
Cochise College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,957. Liberal Arts graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $22,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,145. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $31,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,232, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,759. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $44,117. Set against $5,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $46,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,625. Liberal Arts graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $31,759 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,350. That is a strong return on a $15,736 median debt.
Northern Arizona University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,600 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Community Christian College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Quartzsite, Community Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,675. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,217 ten years after entry.
Ashford University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $31,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $49,010. That is a strong return on a $31,500 median debt.
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
