2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Maine
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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 Maine
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 York County Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Maine. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,757. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of York County Community College earn a median of $35,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $38,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennebec Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Students borrow a median of $15,575 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $30,447. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Maine Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,402 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,695. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $35,428. That is a strong return on a $23,695 median debt.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $27,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $29,716 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Farmington earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,308, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. Students borrow a median of $25,703 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Farmington earn a median of $35,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,166 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,404. Set against $21,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Husson University landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,304. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,809. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Husson University admits about 81% of applicants.
College Of The Atlantic earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. College Of The Atlantic is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bar Harbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,997. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,475 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,003. Set against $25,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
