2026 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 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
York County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Maine. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,757. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from York County Community College generally make around $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,448. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College 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 Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,575. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $31,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at University Of Maine At Presque Isle, which ranked #4. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $38,395. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Maine Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $52,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. 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. Set against $23,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Maine Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $27,742. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,716. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Farmington earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Maine At Farmington generally make around $35,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,166 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Husson University placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,809. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Atlantic placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Bar Harbor, College Of The Atlantic is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,997 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,475. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Atlantic earn a median of $23,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
