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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

91 Ranked Colleges
1,990 Degrees Awarded
$23,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 91 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

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 Getting Aid”.

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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A & M University - Central Texas. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Killeen, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A & M University - Central Texas are $13,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Texas A & M University - Central Texas

Out of the 91 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #2 spot on the list. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree liberal arts students with aid list, UT Austin has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Austin Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

NC State also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NC State Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#4

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stony Brook University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. SUNY Stony Brook is a public institution located in Stony Brook, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SUNY Stony Brook not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 SUNY Stony Brook are $25,583.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at SUNY Stony Brook

Out of the 91 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Liberal Arts General Studies Report

California State University - Northridge came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at CSUN

Indiana University - Northwest came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Gary, Indiana, this small public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Indiana University - Northwest Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid 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.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NKU are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NKU Liberal Arts General Studies Report

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Liberal Arts General Studies Report

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. UT Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 23 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 UT Dallas are $28,610.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas

#11

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 37 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at American Military University

#12

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 28 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#13

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #13, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified masters’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Tennessee State University are $20,860, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Tennessee State University

#14

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 masters’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

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

#15

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 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 CSI are $21,080.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at CSI

#16

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 3 masters’s liberal arts 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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Illinois at Springfield

#17

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

Louisiana State University - Shreveport came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and it awarded 3 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University - Shreveport are $19,731, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Louisiana State University - Shreveport

#19

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at UPenn

#20

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at SDSU

#21

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#22

Clayton State University

Morrow, Georgia

Clayton State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Morrow, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s liberal arts degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Clayton State University are $13,915.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Clayton State University

#23

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #23, Marshall University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Marshall University is a fairly large school located in Huntington, West Virginia that handed out 3 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshall University

#24

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Johns Hopkins

With a ranking of #25, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 20 masters’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at ASU - Tempe

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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