2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Alabama
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 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 Alabama
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 Northeast Alabama Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $26,004. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $20,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Lurleen B Wallace Community College, which ranked #4. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snead State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Boaz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,597 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,559. Set against $9,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,774 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,926. Set against $7,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bishop State Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,355 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $25,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Phenix City. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $28,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,860. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southern Union State Community College earn a median of $26,174 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $26,759. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John C Calhoun State Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tanner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Students borrow a median of $11,236 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $24,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,236 median debt.
Jefferson State Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Jefferson State Community College generally make around $28,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Military Institute earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Marion Military Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,538. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Marion Military Institute earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.
Enterprise State Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Enterprise State Community College earn a median of $22,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Students borrow a median of $12,175 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,919. Set against $12,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, compared with $8,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,355. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $33,708 early in their careers. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
James H Faulkner State Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public school located in the town of Bay Minette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $22,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jacksonville State University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $27,546 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $30,939 early in their careers. Set against $27,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Columbia Southern University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,923 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $55,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shelton State Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $5,127 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,375 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stillman College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,126. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,421. Stillman College admits about 62% of applicants.
Troy University came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,504. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,838. That is a strong return on a $27,504 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 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
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
