by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) 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 1130 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Oxnard College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the United States. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,296. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,754 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,754 median debt.
Middlesex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $26,693. That is a strong return on a $8,660 median debt.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $16,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,800. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $30,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $32,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $29,397. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,373 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,387. Set against $7,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,406. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,104. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,056. Set against $7,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Pasadena City College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,191. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $31,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
These schools also placed among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #221 | West Kentucky Community And Technical College | Paducah, KY | Full Report |
| #222 | Laredo Community College | Laredo, TX | Full Report |
| #223 | Bridgevalley Community And Technical College | South Charleston, WV | Full Report |
| #224 | Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | Full Report |
| #225 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | Full Report |
| #226 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,130 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.