2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Kentucky
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Kentucky
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 Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College this year. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,949 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $27,263. Set against $10,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Hazard Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,442 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $27,569. That is a strong return on a $10,442 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 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 Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $28,792. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $8,900 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $26,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Big Sandy Community And Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,129 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $26,590 early in their careers. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henderson Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,516 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Henderson Community College earn a median of $30,204 early in their careers. Set against $11,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Somerset Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $24,279 early in their careers. Set against $12,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,703 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $12,703 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,400 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Gateway Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,311 early in their careers. Set against $12,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,386. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $26,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,218. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,019. Set against $9,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland Community And Technical College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ashland Community And Technical College generally make around $27,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,730 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,623. Set against $13,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,467. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $27,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,813 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Murray State University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,162 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $34,304 early in their careers. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brescia University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,550. Students borrow a median of $33,995 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brescia University admits about 35% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,446 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,746. Set against $22,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,739 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $22,813 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $31,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindsey Wilson College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,808. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,119. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 31 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
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
