2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Arizona
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 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 Arizona
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
Pima Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,939. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $29,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $34,557. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Rio Salado College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $16,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #5. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $10,154 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $32,786 early in their careers. Set against $10,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tohono Oodham Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $932. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
Cochise College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $9,957 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $22,982. Set against $9,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $44,895.
Eastern Arizona College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,145. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $31,709. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,759 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,129. That is a strong return on a $5,759 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $46,084. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,986. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $31,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Set against $15,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Northern Arizona University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Coconino Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,907, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $26,862. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Community Christian College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Quartzsite, Community Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,675. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,217 ten years after entry.
Ashford University earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Students borrow a median of $31,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $49,010. That is a strong return on a $31,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
