[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 432 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in the Southeast Region. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,376 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. 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 $30,406. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,699. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $29,069. Set against $13,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $26,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,681 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $30,678. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.
Chipola College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $20,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,902. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $29,129 early in their careers. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,876. That is a strong return on a $11,321 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,942. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,004. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Johnston Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. 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 Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,438. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Spartanburg Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,660 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $26,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,908 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $20,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,908 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,414. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,812. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $28,745 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,037 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Miami Dade College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
This ranking is produced 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 · 432 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 432 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).
[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.
