2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 318 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 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,059. Set against $12,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,935 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,789 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $27,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $24,758. Set against $11,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $27,510 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $23,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Chesapeake College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 Bronx Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Burlington County College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, compared with $9,495 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 Burlington County College generally make around $28,376. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,870. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $27,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,057 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $23,669 early in their careers. Set against $8,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,450. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $19,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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 landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $25,792. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Hudson County Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $25,541. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,343. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Butler County Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,932. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $28,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $28,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,046 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,469 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $27,852. That is a strong return on a $13,469 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 318 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 130 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.
