[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2221 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
Irvine Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,754 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,149. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,550 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Golden West College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $29,397. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,100. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Set against $8,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $31,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,914. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $16,740 early in their careers. Set against $5,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. 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.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $10,909 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $30,678. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.
Canada College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,001. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,928. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Pima Community College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,939. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $4,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $33,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 879 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
