by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 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.
Our analysis ranked Riverland Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Minnesota. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. 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. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,111. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Central College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,239 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of South Central College earn a median of $32,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,239 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Ridgewater College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,389. Liberal Arts graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $29,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Century College generally make around $38,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,249. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $27,079. That is a strong return on a $13,249 median debt.
Inver Hills Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,575 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $41,906. That is a strong return on a $14,575 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $25,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,830. Liberal Arts graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $37,317 early in their careers. Set against $13,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $29,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,963 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,817. Set against $13,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $33,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Students borrow a median of $12,788 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. Set against $12,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $18,730. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Pine Technical College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $22,454. Liberal Arts graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $44,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leech Lake Tribal College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Leech Lake Tribal College is a small public school located in the rural area of Cass Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,163.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $17,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,858. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $26,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $35,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bemidji State University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,819. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $48,984. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $34,094. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $33,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $32,056. Set against $12,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.