by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 1130 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Oxnard College this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Irvine Valley College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,754 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,754 median debt.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,791. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,001 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. That is a strong return on a $16,001 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,800. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $30,117. That is a strong return on a $6,800 median debt.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,856. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Moorpark College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,075. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $32,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,928 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,397. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
College Of The Mainland placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,368. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $28,387. Set against $7,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $22,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $30,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $24,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,987. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
Grossmont College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Pasadena City College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $25,578 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,804. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
The following schools rounded out the strongest liberal arts general studies values:
Also worth considering for value in liberal arts general studies:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #221 | West Kentucky Community And Technical College | Paducah, KY | Full Report |
| #222 | Laredo Community College | Laredo, TX | Full Report |
| #223 | Bridgevalley Community And Technical College | South Charleston, WV | Full Report |
| #224 | Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | Full Report |
| #225 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | Full Report |
| #226 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Liberal Arts General Studies rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,130 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.