2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Minnesota
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Minnesota
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
Riverland Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Minnesota. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $38,856 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Cloud Technical And Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $37,802. That is a strong return on a $15,111 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at South Central College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $12,239 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of South Central College earn a median of $32,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,239 median debt.
Ridgewater College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $11,389 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $29,262. That is a strong return on a $11,389 median debt.
Century College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Century College earn a median of $38,376 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Students borrow a median of $13,249 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $27,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,249 median debt.
Inver Hills Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Students borrow a median of $14,575 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $41,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $25,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $37,317. That is a strong return on a $13,830 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Students borrow a median of $13,963 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,817. Set against $13,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,521 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,308. That is a strong return on a $11,521 median debt.
Red Lake Nation College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Red Lake, Red Lake Nation College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,640.
White Earth Tribal And Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mahnomen, White Earth Tribal And Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,490 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $18,044.
Normandale Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,778. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $33,809 early in their careers. Set against $12,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,625. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College generally make around $30,455. Set against $12,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $18,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,454. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $44,905. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
Leech Lake Tribal College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Leech Lake Tribal College is a small public school located in the rural area of Cass Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,163.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $28,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,249. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $26,133. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,875. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,158. That is a strong return on a $14,875 median debt.
Bemidji State University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,094. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rest of the Top 38 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 ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
