2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Michigan
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Macomb Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Michigan. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $29,158. Set against $10,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,759. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $39,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,665 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,511. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $27,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Shore Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,387. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of West Shore Community College earn a median of $25,852 early in their careers. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $27,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,721. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Monroe County Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,759 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,488. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Monroe County Community College generally make around $30,539. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Bay Mills Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
Alpena Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Oakland Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $37,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Lansing Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $11,264 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,926. That is a strong return on a $11,264 median debt.
Kellogg Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,057. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,197. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,002. Set against $12,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gogebic Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,668. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,958. That is a strong return on a $16,668 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Students borrow a median of $11,422 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,706. That is a strong return on a $11,422 median debt.
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,896 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $22,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,896 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $33,777. That is a strong return on a $13,644 median debt.
Lake Michigan College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,445, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $36,157 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,990. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montcalm Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,104 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,405. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montcalm Community College earn a median of $28,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $30,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
