2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the United States
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
Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $42,557. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #2. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,195. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,592. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $56,503. Set against $25,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $29,723 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $55,570. That is a strong return on a $29,723 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $38,972. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $55,105 early in their careers. Set against $38,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $63,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Chicago came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $26,094. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
San Diego State University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,496. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $23,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $64,717 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,100. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,708. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,546 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $30,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $39,198. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,400. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,993 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $48,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Stony Brook University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $74,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,426. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,147. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $35,768. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $59,752. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Dallas landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
St Johns College New Mexico came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,514. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Johns College New Mexico earn a median of $23,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Tiffin University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $37,484. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
Dartmouth College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,989. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
Other Liberal Arts General Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value liberal arts general studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
