2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Indiana
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,236. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,026. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $24,356. Set against $10,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Southeast one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $28,948. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Purdue University Northwest, which ranked #4. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,517 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $33,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $34,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,035. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $41,499 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $17,917. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $79,921. Set against $17,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Vincennes University came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,079. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $35,239 early in their careers. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $33,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #11 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,319 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,072 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $39,936. That is a strong return on a $29,072 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $26,965 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $27,724. That is a strong return on a $26,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,106 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,564. That is a strong return on a $24,106 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,655. Set against $21,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland City University ranked #16 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $62,655. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland City University admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,844. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $43,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,844 median debt.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $42,188. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Indianapolis landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,896. Students borrow a median of $38,348 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earn a median of $29,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,348 median debt.
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Whiting, Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,428. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn a median of $66,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #23 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,844. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,637. That is a strong return on a $25,844 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Indiana placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,664. Students borrow a median of $28,633 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $49,784. Set against $28,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $18,800 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $45,579. That is a strong return on a $18,800 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
