by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Fort Peck Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250. Median earnings reach $14,747 ten years out.
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,079. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Dawson Community College, which ranked #3. Dawson Community College is a small public school located in the town of Glendive. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,010, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,631. 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 Miles Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,500, with out-of-state students paying around $11,220. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,949 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Miles Community College earn a median of $67,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Helena College University Of Montana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,278. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Helena College University Of Montana earn a median of $31,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Great Falls College Montana State University placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,028, compared with $12,911 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,034 ten years after entry.
Chief Dull Knife College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Lame Deer, Chief Dull Knife College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,260. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,073.
Montana State University Billings ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $39,800 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,832. That is a strong return on a $39,800 median debt.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $30,794. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Montana State University earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Students borrow a median of $19,268 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $31,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.