2026 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2221 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Cuny Lehman College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in the United States. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,213. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,676 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,230 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,676 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,492. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
American Public University System came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,195. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $50,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. 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. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $34,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,898. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $52,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $38,562 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Clayton State University came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $37,588 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,543. Set against $37,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $63,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,592 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $56,503. That is a strong return on a $25,592 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Memphis earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $55,105 early in their careers. Set against $38,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Jacksonville State University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $27,546 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $30,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,993. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Stony Brook University landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $74,387. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $64,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,746. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,708. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $64,717 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Austin Peay State University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $53,388. That is a strong return on a $22,314 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $45,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $94,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
Other Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degree Levels
Explore the best-value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools at other degree levels:
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
