2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. 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 150 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 the The Plains States Region
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
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,214. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $33,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $25,968. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Williston State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,871. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Hutchinson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $26,151. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,313. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $26,198. Set against $8,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Turtle Mountain Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,794. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,079 ten years after entry.
Western Nebraska Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,638. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,303. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $28,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,375. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,856. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Jefferson College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Mid Plains Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,817. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $24,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haskell Indian Nations University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $8,911 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $28,092. Set against $8,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Independence Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,302. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,966. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. That is a strong return on a $9,960 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,938. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. Set against $11,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $31,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,237 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $15,111 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,802. Set against $15,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $33,358. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Garden City Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,400 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $26,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
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:
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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 · 150 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 150 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.
