[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 589 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
Seminole State College Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,376 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. 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 Northeast Alabama Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $30,678. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,699. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $29,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $24,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,660. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $26,671 early in their careers. Set against $6,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,925. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Wilkes Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,681 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,321. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,876. Set against $11,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,942. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $26,004. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,779. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Hinds Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,603 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $20,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Chipola College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $20,678. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
North Florida Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,902. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,129. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $19,606 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,406. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,028. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,037. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,492. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 589 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 332 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).
[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.
