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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Maryland

24 Colleges in the United States
$15,879 Avg Student Debt
$48,726 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Badge [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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Maryland

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

1

Leading the list is Carroll Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Maryland. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Chesapeake College crest
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

Chesapeake College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

A rank of #3 makes Montgomery College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $20,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Hagerstown Community College, which ranked #4. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Students borrow a median of $11,548 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,548 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Prince Georges Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Students borrow a median of $13,499 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,499 median debt.

6

College Of Southern Maryland came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,456 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $29,862. Set against $9,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Harford Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,227. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $26,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Allegany College Of Maryland earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,940, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $27,637. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Wor Wic Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wor Wic Community College earn a median of $30,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Frederick Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Frederick Community College is a large public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,935. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,830 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

12

The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,469 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $27,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,469 median debt.

13
Garrett College crest
Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of McHenry, Garrett College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,040 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,352 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $13,943. That is a strong return on a $13,352 median debt.

14

Anne Arundel Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,826. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Coppin State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $41,868 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $50,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,868 median debt. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.

16

Howard Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,200 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,042. That is a strong return on a $10,200 median debt.

17

Morgan State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,512 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,699. That is a strong return on a $32,512 median debt. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.

18

Baltimore City Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,850 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Frostburg State University landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $32,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

20
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $38,478. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.

21

Johns Hopkins University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

22

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,360. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Maryland University College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,375. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $37,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,375 median debt.

24

St Johns College Maryland placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. St Johns College Maryland is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annapolis. Students from in state pay about $40,684 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Johns College Maryland earn a median of $34,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. St Johns College Maryland admits about 55% of applicants.

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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 · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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