by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Fort Peck Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Montana. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes Flathead Valley Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $30,079. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Dawson Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Glendive, Dawson Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,010 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Dawson Community College earn a median of $25,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Miles Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,500, with out-of-state students paying around $11,220. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Miles Community College generally make around $67,708. Set against $11,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Helena College University Of Montana came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,278 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Helena College University Of Montana generally make around $31,290. Set against $15,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Great Falls College Montana State University came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,028, while out-of-state students pay about $12,911. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,034.
Chief Dull Knife College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Chief Dull Knife College is a small public school located in the rural area of Lame Deer. Students from in state pay about $2,260 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,073 ten years after entry.
Montana State University Billings earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $39,800 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $29,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,484. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $30,794. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Montana State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,268 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,710. That is a strong return on a $19,268 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.