2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Arkansas
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Arkansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Arkansas. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,547. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $27,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Arkansas Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,876 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rich Mountain Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $17,381.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,440 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,835. That is a strong return on a $6,440 median debt.
Black River Technical College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,428 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Forrest City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $25,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarka College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid South Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Students from in state pay about $3,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,883 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $25,601. That is a strong return on a $8,883 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,027. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $64,187. Set against $6,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Arkansas University Tech placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $59,370. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,710. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
College Of The Ouachitas came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $28,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
North Arkansas College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,949. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,317. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,885, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,664 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $26,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $24,763. Set against $9,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $33,881. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,292. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $31,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $34,143 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,228 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
National Park Community College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,506. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $26,073. Set against $15,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
