2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Wisconsin
[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 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 45 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 Wisconsin
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
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Wisconsin. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,384. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Nicolet Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,793 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,066 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 Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #3. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,298 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $29,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,298 median debt.
Mid State Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,626. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,669. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,479. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $29,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $54,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $25,231. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,875. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $37,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,532 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,451. Set against $21,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,551. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $36,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,011 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $37,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,011 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,066 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $44,812. Set against $43,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,708 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Herzing University Kenosha ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,832 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,311. Set against $32,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Herzing University Kenosha admits about 92% of applicants.
Herzing University Brookfield ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Herzing University Brookfield is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookfield. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $32,325. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Herzing University Brookfield generally make around $50,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Brookfield admits about 93% of applicants.
Herzing University Madison earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Students borrow a median of $30,328 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Herzing University Madison generally make around $53,203. That is a strong return on a $30,328 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
