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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

88 Ranked Colleges
1,990 Degrees Awarded
$31,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,990 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 88 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Duke Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 147 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#4

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 35 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Johns Hopkins

#5

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Vanderbilt is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 16 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Vanderbilt

#6

Wesleyan University

Middletown, Connecticut
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wesleyan U is a small school located in Middletown, Connecticut that handed out 20 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Wesleyan U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wesleyan University are $59,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wesleyan University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#7

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Georgetown University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 14 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Georgetown

#8

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Carolina State University is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 17 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at NC State

#9

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in University of Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 7 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at URichmond, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Richmond are $25,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Richmond

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#11

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NKU are $17,358.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Northern Kentucky University

With a ranking of #12, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 20 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Austin Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - Northwest is a small school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 3 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana University - Northwest

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 12 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at CSUDH

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 19 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUN Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stony Brook University is a large school located in Stony Brook, New York that handed out 65 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

SUNY Stony Brook did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stony Brook University are $25,583.

Full Stony Brook University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#18

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida State University

#19

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #19, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 2 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Oakland

#20

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

With a ranking of #20, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - South Bend is a small public school situated in South Bend, Indiana. It awarded 12 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana University - South Bend

#21

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIS Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#22

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 13 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at SDSU

#23

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Staten Island, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at College of Staten Island CUNY are $21,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSI Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#24

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school handed out 34 degrees to qualified masters’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#25

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified masters’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full American Public University System Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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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