2027 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 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
Nicolet Area Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Wisconsin. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $46,419. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,298. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,812. Set against $14,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,715. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,669. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,234. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Gateway Technical College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,829. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,251 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $36,904 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,018. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,532. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $38,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,532 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,011. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $37,845 early in their careers. Set against $23,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $37,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,708 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Herzing University Madison earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $30,328. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Herzing University Madison generally make around $53,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,086. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $43,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $44,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Herzing University Kenosha landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,325 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,311. Set against $32,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Herzing University Kenosha admits about 92% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
