2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 184 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,985 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,660 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,660 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Burlington County College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $28,376 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carroll Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,057. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $23,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,498. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $24,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Camden County College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,789. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,655. That is a strong return on a $9,789 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $26,251. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,870 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,115. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $27,831. That is a strong return on a $8,115 median debt.
Chesapeake College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $29,611. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $19,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,549 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,344. Set against $6,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,336. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,302. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $25,792 early in their careers. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,343. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $31,335 early in their careers. Set against $10,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ulster County Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $24,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Butler County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $6,932 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $28,138. Set against $6,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,144 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,252. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
Narrow Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools by State
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 184 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.
