[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.
College Factual analyzed 472 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,985. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,171 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,295 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,979. Set against $14,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $38,253. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,535 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,706. Set against $13,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,775 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,148. That is a strong return on a $13,775 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,301. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,662 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,349. That is a strong return on a $13,662 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $18,557 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $32,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,995. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $25,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $33,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,236 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. Set against $24,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $38,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,458 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,797 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,808. That is a strong return on a $13,797 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,453. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $33,588. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,453 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $29,605. Set against $19,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $15,944 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $36,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,447 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $71,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,899. That is a strong return on a $22,879 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,463. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
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 · 472 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 472 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/) 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.
