2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 184 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. Set against $8,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,678. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Burlington County College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $28,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Carroll Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $23,320 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,057. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $23,669. Set against $8,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,498. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $24,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Camden County College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,789 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $27,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $26,251 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,870 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,870 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,115 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,831. That is a strong return on a $8,115 median debt.
Chesapeake College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. Students from in state pay about $4,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $19,582. Set against $8,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Students borrow a median of $6,549 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $22,344. Set against $6,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $27,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $21,336. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Essex County College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,302. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $25,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $10,343 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,335. That is a strong return on a $10,343 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ulster County Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $24,015. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,932 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $28,138. Set against $6,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,144 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,252. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 184 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.
