2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, no school beat Renton Technical College this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Seattle Community College South Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.
A rank of #3 makes Grays Harbor College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $23,049. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peninsula College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,713. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $23,117. Set against $8,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $16,455. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $34,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,788. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $30,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $28,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Basin College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,598 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,917. Set against $6,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,991. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,078. That is a strong return on a $11,991 median debt.
Centralia College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,266, with out-of-state students paying around $5,651. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Centralia College earn a median of $77,740 early in their careers.
Seattle Community College North Campus placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $16,643. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.
Walla Walla Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lower Columbia College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,626, compared with $6,003 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,578 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,845. Set against $9,578 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $29,056 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Indian College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Northwest Indian College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,365. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,182.
Tacoma Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $25,892. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $28,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,496 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Clark College earn a median of $23,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,496 median debt.
Whatcom Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,296, compared with $11,435 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Whatcom Community College generally make around $27,020. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,323 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $30,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Yakima Valley Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,312, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,367 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $26,743 early in their careers. Set against $8,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. In-state tuition and fees average $5,032, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,125. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $30,993 early in their careers. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
