2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Michigan
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Michigan
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
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Michigan. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,791. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $10,734 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $29,158. Set against $10,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,759. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Set against $20,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,665. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,665 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,511. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $27,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,511 median debt.
West Shore Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. West Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Scottville. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Students borrow a median of $9,387 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of West Shore Community College earn a median of $25,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,387 median debt.
Muskegon Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $27,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,721. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Monroe County Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,759 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,488. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $30,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Bay Mills Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $30,048 ten years out.
Alpena Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Oakland Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,057 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,057 median debt.
St Clair County Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,197 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $30,002. That is a strong return on a $12,197 median debt.
Gogebic Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Mott Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $29,958. That is a strong return on a $16,668 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,422. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $28,706. That is a strong return on a $11,422 median debt.
Southwestern Michigan College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,896. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $22,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,644 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,777. Set against $13,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Michigan College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,445, while out-of-state students pay about $7,755. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,526. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Oakland University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $36,157. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,990. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $38,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montcalm Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,936, with out-of-state students paying around $10,104. Students borrow a median of $13,405 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Montcalm Community College generally make around $28,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Wayne County Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $30,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
