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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Turtle Mountain Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts in North Dakota. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,794. Median earnings reach $32,079 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williston State College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $31,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Fort Totten, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,950. Median earnings reach $17,008 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Dakota College At Bottineau one of the best values for liberal arts. Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public school located in the rural area of Bottineau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,388, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $66,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Bismarck State College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $31,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Region State College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,697. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lake Region State College generally make around $19,014. That is a strong return on a $11,697 median debt.
Dickinson State University earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.