by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Oklahoma City Community College this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Redlands Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Students borrow a median of $8,739 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,878. That is a strong return on a $8,739 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,837. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $30,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000, with out-of-state students paying around $20,190. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $30,136 early in their careers. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Western Oklahoma State College one of the best values for liberal arts. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,308. Liberal Arts graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $17,755 early in their careers. Set against $6,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Langston University came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,863, compared with $14,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $55,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rose State College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $26,364. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,938. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rogers State University came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $37,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Oklahoma Christian University earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $27,180 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,050 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Oral Roberts University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,022. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. Set against $28,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.