[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 472 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
Leading the list is Cuny City College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,985. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,171 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $30,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #4. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,295. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,979. Set against $14,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $38,253 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,535. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,706. That is a strong return on a $13,535 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,775 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $29,148 early in their careers. Set against $13,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,301 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,186. That is a strong return on a $22,301 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,662. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,349. That is a strong return on a $13,662 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,557 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $32,909. Set against $18,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $13,995 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $25,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,324. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,236 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. That is a strong return on a $24,236 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $38,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $44,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,797 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,808. Set against $13,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,453 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $33,588. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,453 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $29,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,944 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $9,420, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $30,447. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Maine At Fort Kent generally make around $71,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Fort Kent admits about 98% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,899. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $32,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
This list is compiled 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 · 472 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 472 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
