2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 38 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 Pennsylvania
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
Butler County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,932 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,277. 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 Bucks County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,426. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $24,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,426 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #5. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $32,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $25,868. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $19,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,488. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peirce College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,060. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $44,247. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $53,071. Set against $44,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Luzerne County Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,339. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,217. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $25,898. Set against $14,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $23,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,643. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,455. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,128. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $31,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,246. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $30,140 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $33,989. That is a strong return on a $30,140 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $4,004 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $23,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,004 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,958 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $50,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Carlow University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Students borrow a median of $30,222 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $66,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lackawanna College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $13,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Vincent College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,396 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,986 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
