2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Indiana
[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 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Indiana
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 Indiana University Kokomo this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,236. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,026 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $24,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,026 median debt.
Indiana University Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $37,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $41,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Vincennes University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $35,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Indiana University Northwest placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $37,035. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $33,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $39,564. That is a strong return on a $24,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,707 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $34,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,517 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $33,295 early in their careers. Set against $29,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,072 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,936. Set against $29,072 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $17,917. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $79,921. Set against $17,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,671 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $52,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland City University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,266. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Oakland City University earn a median of $62,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Ball State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,965 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $27,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,844 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $43,637 early in their careers. Set against $25,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $43,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $31,754. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,896 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,348 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,654. Set against $38,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $43,637. Set against $25,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Indiana placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,664. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $28,633. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Marian University Indiana generally make around $49,784. Set against $28,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marian University Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Holy Cross College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,586 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Holy Cross College generally make around $33,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Students borrow a median of $18,800 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,579. That is a strong return on a $18,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
