by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Turtle Mountain Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,794. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,079 ten years after entry.
Williston State College 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 Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. 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.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Dakota College At Bottineau, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $66,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #5. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $31,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Totten. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,008 ten years after entry.
Valley City State University landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mayville State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,926 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $34,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,147 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,614. Set against $29,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Lake Region State College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,697 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $19,014. Set against $11,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
University Of Mary ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,901. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $42,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.