[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2221 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Our analysis ranked Irvine Valley College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the United States. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,754. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Santiago Canyon College, which ranked #3. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,149. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $6,550 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. Set against $6,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Golden West College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,397 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. 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 $20,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,100 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,914 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $16,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.
Canada College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Trident Technical College earned the #18 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,856. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,928. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. San Diego Mesa 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $4,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $33,015. Set against $4,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 791 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).
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
