2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Alabama
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,942. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Lurleen B Wallace Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $24,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes George C Wallace State Community College Selma one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Selma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Gadsden State Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,774. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $18,926 early in their careers. Set against $7,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bishop State Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,355 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,764. That is a strong return on a $8,355 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bevill State Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. 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.
Snead State Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Snead State Community College earn a median of $22,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,759. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,149. 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.
Enterprise State Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Enterprise State Community College generally make around $22,991. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,236. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $24,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Students borrow a median of $9,860 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College generally make around $26,174. Set against $9,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $28,176 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James H Faulkner State Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of James H Faulkner State Community College earn a median of $22,329 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Military Institute came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Marion Military Institute is a small public school located in the rural area of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,538 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Marion Military Institute earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marion Military Institute admits about 97% of applicants.
Shelton State Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,127 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,375. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Shelton State Community College earn a median of $23,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Troy University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,504 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,838. Set against $27,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Stillman College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,126. Median earnings reach $35,421 ten years out. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,175 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,919. Set against $12,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Alabama Community College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,980. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,911. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alabama A And M University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $33,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $28,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $33,708. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
