2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 123 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,214 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $33,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes St Charles Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,968. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Williston State College, which ranked #3. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $31,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #4. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,151. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,313. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,198. That is a strong return on a $8,313 median debt.
Turtle Mountain Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Belcourt. In-state tuition and fees average $2,794. Median earnings reach $32,079 ten years out.
Western Nebraska Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $28,357 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,638. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $27,303. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $8,817 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $24,535. Set against $8,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $38,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,813. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Independence Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,302. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $8,911 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $28,092 early in their careers. Set against $8,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,966. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Dodge City Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Marshalltown Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,960 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $29,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,400. Liberal Arts graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $26,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $26,306. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Labette Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,095. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $31,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $37,802. That is a strong return on a $15,111 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $29,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
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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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 123 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.
