2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 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 Pennsylvania
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
Butler County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Pennsylvania. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,932. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,138. Set against $6,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,797. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $29,277. Set against $14,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,426. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $24,235. That is a strong return on a $10,426 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $32,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $25,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $19,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Reading Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, compared with $13,350 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,488 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $24,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peirce College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $44,247 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Peirce College earn a median of $53,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $25,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,217 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,898. Set against $14,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $23,879. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,128 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $31,805 early in their careers. Set against $27,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $31,038 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,875. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $39,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $30,140. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $33,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
La Salle University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $4,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $23,774. Set against $4,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $50,933. That is a strong return on a $25,958 median debt. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Carlow University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Lackawanna College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lackawanna College generally make around $13,920. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Vincent College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Students from in state pay about $42,396 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. Set against $26,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
