2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Arkansas
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Arkansas
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 Northwest Arkansas Community College this year. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,876 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Mid South Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,857 ten years after entry.
A rank of #3 makes Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $4,550. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,137. 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 Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, which ranked #4. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,018. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,547. 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 Rich Mountain Community College, which ranked #5. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. Students from in state pay about $3,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $17,381.
Arkansas Northeastern College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,570, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,440. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $23,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,440 median debt.
Southern Arkansas University Tech landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,480. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. That is a strong return on a $8,488 median debt.
Ozarka College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,820. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,778. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $48,116 early in their careers. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $25,928. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black River Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Students borrow a median of $10,428 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,747. That is a strong return on a $10,428 median debt.
College Of The Ouachitas earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
South Arkansas Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, while out-of-state students pay about $5,532. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,156. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,027 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. That is a strong return on a $6,027 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
Arkansas State University Newport placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,883. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $25,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $28,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
North Arkansas College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,949. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,317. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,664 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $26,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southeast Arkansas College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Southeast Arkansas College is a small public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $5,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Students borrow a median of $14,484 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,880. That is a strong return on a $14,484 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,950. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton generally make around $27,710. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $36,292 early in their careers. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
National Park Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $26,073. That is a strong return on a $15,506 median debt.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,143. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $33,881. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
