2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Alabama
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Alabama
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
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Alabama. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,942. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,004. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $20,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Lurleen B Wallace Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snead State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,278, with out-of-state students paying around $9,148. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,597 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Students borrow a median of $7,774 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bishop State Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,355 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $22,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $25,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Phenix City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $28,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Wadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Students borrow a median of $9,860 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,174. Set against $9,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $26,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
John C Calhoun State Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,236. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,455. That is a strong return on a $11,236 median debt.
Jefferson State Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $28,176 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Military Institute ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Marion Military Institute is a small public school located in the rural area of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,538. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,501. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,183.
Enterprise State Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,991. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,175 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,919. Set against $12,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Selma generally make around $18,355. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $33,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $22,329. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Jacksonville State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,546. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,939. Set against $27,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia Southern University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,923. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $55,667 early in their careers. Set against $15,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shelton State Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $5,127 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Shelton State Community College generally make around $23,390. That is a strong return on a $7,375 median debt.
Stillman College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,126. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,421 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Troy University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Students borrow a median of $27,504 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Troy University earn a median of $37,838 early in their careers. Set against $27,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
