2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Master’s Degree Schools
[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 37 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 the United States
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 California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. 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 Northridge earn a median of $42,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,195. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $50,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,195 median debt.
Fort Hays State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $56,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,723. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $55,570. Set against $29,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #5. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $38,972 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $55,105. That is a strong return on a $38,972 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $63,938. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Chicago came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,094. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,496. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $23,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $64,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University At Montgomery placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,708. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,546 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,939. That is a strong return on a $27,546 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $39,198 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,700. Set against $25,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Stony Brook University earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $74,387. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Tennessee State University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $38,562. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,716. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $45,147. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $59,752. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dallas placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $68,293. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
St Johns College New Mexico placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,514 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,029. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns College New Mexico admits about 53% of applicants.
Tiffin University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $37,484. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Dartmouth College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $81,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
Other Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities rankings across degree levels:
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
