2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Renton Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Washington. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.
Grays Harbor College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, compared with $12,553 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $23,049. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peninsula College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,713. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $23,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,455 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $34,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,455 median debt.
Skagit Valley College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,788 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $30,437. That is a strong return on a $8,788 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $28,025. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Columbia Basin College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,170. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $63,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olympic College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,598. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $29,917 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,598 median debt.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $28,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Centralia College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,651. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Centralia College generally make around $77,740.
Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.
Walla Walla Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $24,084. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lower Columbia College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,626, compared with $6,003 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,578. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lower Columbia College generally make around $30,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College generally make around $29,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Indian College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Bellingham, Northwest Indian College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,365. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwest Indian College generally make around $25,182.
Tacoma Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,892. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Shoreline Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,895 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,496 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Clark College earn a median of $23,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,496 median debt.
Whatcom Community College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,296, while out-of-state students pay about $11,435. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Whatcom Community College generally make around $27,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,323. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $30,437. That is a strong return on a $16,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Yakima Valley Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. Students from in state pay about $5,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,367 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $26,743. That is a strong return on a $8,367 median debt.
Everett Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $30,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
