2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Arizona
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 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 Arizona
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
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,002. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central Arizona College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,680. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,819. That is a strong return on a $10,680 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $34,557. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,154. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $32,786. Set against $10,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tohono Oodham Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $932. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
Cochise College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,957 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $22,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,957 median debt.
Arizona Western College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Eastern Arizona College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,552 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 Eastern Arizona College generally make around $26,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,709. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Pioneer College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. In-state tuition and fees average $2,232, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,759 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $17,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,759 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $46,084. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $31,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,736. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Northern Arizona University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Coconino Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,907 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,987. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coconino Community College earn a median of $26,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $44,173. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Community Christian College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Quartzsite, Community Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,675. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,217 ten years after entry.
Ashford University earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $31,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,010. Set against $31,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
