[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 432 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the Southeast Region. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,376. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,166. Set against $9,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,056. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $30,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. 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. Set against $13,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Wayne Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $26,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,909. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,678. Set against $10,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. 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 earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,876. That is a strong return on a $11,321 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,812. 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.
Rockingham Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,865. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
University Of Florida Online earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $28,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Pensacola State College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $26,671. That is a strong return on a $6,660 median debt.
South Florida State College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,908 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $20,378 early in their careers. Set against $5,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $20,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,812. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $28,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $12,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,905. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 432 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 432 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
