[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1537 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
Finding the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies School for You
The liberal arts general studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Santiago Canyon College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,985. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. Set against $12,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Middlesex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $26,693. Set against $8,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,171 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $30,824. That is a strong return on a $15,171 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,804. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,376 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $9,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,060. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Skyline College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,295. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,979 early in their careers. Set against $14,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Santa Ana College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $7,014 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $28,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,014 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $32,492. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,451. That is a strong return on a $7,928 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,142 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,856. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $18,208 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $27,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
College Of San Mateo placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $30,406. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,056. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
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 · 1537 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,537 ranked schools only.
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).
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
