2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Arkansas
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
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Arkansas. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,018. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $29,547 early in their careers. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Arkansas Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,876. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $31,313 early in their careers. 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 #4. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,381.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,440 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black River Technical College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,428 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,747. Set against $10,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarka College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid South Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $8,883 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $25,601. Set against $8,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,027. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. Set against $6,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Arkansas University Tech placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, while out-of-state students pay about $5,532. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. 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.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Students borrow a median of $8,950 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,710. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
College Of The Ouachitas landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. In-state tuition and fees average $3,788, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Arkansas College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Students borrow a median of $8,949 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $27,317 early in their careers. Set against $8,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,664 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $26,728. Set against $20,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,156. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $24,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,100. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,292. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $34,143. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,228 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
National Park Community College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Students borrow a median of $15,506 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $26,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,506 median debt.
Rest of the Top 35 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
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
