2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.
At the associate degree level specifically, there were 403,365 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 931 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Harvard has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,973 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harvard University.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Harvard University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hillsborough Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 3,253 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
HCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hillsborough Community College is $3,203 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Hillsborough Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pasadena City College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,658 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Pasadena City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $2,158 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Pasadena City College
Out of the 931 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State College at Jacksonville landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida State College at Jacksonville is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,579 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, FSCJ is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category. It costs about $2,126 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FSCJ.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida State College at Jacksonville
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Petersburg College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. St Petersburg College is a large public school situated in Clearwater, Florida. It awarded 3,098 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
SPC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $1,454 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St Petersburg College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at St Petersburg College
Nassau Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Garden City, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1,353 students in 2019-2020.
Nassau Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Nassau Community College is $2,007 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Nassau Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Tallahassee Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tallahassee Community College is a fairly large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 2,554 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Tallahassee Community College also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category. It costs about $2,725 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tallahassee Community College.
Full Tallahassee Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #8, Suffolk County Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Suffolk County Community College is a large school located in Selden, New York that handed out 1,772 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Suffolk County Community College excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $2,632 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Suffolk County Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Suffolk County Community College
El Centro College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Dallas, Texas, this large public school awarded 5,589 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
El Centro College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $3,454 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend El Centro College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at El Centro College
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 978 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
MVCC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $340 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Moraine Valley Community College
Indian River State College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and it awarded 2,032 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Indian River State College also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $1,402 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indian River State College.
Full Indian River State College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Austin Community College District came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,547 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Austin Community College District, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $3,134 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Austin Community College District.
Full Austin Community College District Liberal Arts General Studies Report
South Texas College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in McAllen, Texas, this large public school awarded 1,590 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
South Texas College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $904 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at South Texas College
With a ranking of #14, Oakland Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 1,305 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Oakland Community College excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $-51 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland Community College. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.
Full Oakland Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Tarrant County College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and it awarded 4,575 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tarrant County College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tarrant County College is $5,225 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Tarrant County College District Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Houston Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 2,851 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Houston Community College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,562 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Houston Community College.
Full Houston Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Golden West College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,145 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Golden West College excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $1,941 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Golden West College
Valencia College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 7,122 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Valencia College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Valencia College is $4,870 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Elgin Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 604 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, ECC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $2,384 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Elgin Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Ventura College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ventura College is a fairly large public school situated in Ventura, California. It awarded 929 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $506 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ventura College.
Brazosport College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brazosport College is a public institution located in Lake Jackson, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 306 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, BC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brazosport College is $3,087 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Cleveland Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cleveland Community College is located in Shelby, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 222 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Community College is $4,073 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cleveland Community College
With a ranking of #23, Collin County Community College District did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Collin County Community College District is a public institution located in McKinney, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,763 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Collin County Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $4,565 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Collin County Community College District
Florida Gateway College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FGC is a public institution located in Lake City, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 378 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
FGC excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for FGC is $822 for associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central New Mexico Community College is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 2,089 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
CNM excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Central New Mexico Community College is $2,604 for Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA |
| 52 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL |
| 53 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL |
| 54 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL |
| 55 | Grossmont College | El Cajon, CA |
| 56 | Central Texas College | Killeen, TX |
| 57 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC |
| 58 | San Antonio College | San Antonio, TX |
| 59 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville, NC |
| 60 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA |
| 61 | Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel, NJ |
| 62 | St Charles Community College | Cottleville, MO |
| 63 | Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York, NY |
| 64 | Palomar College | San Marcos, CA |
| 65 | Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OH |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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