2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Arizona
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 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 Arizona
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
Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,680. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,819. That is a strong return on a $10,680 median debt.
Yavapai College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,154. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $48,564. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Tohono Oodham Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $932. Median earnings reach $39,229 ten years out.
Mohave Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,557. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,957. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $22,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Phoenix College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $31,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $26,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Pioneer College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,759. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $17,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,759 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very 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 $7,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. 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 $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $33,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coconino Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, compared with $9,987 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,862. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Set against $15,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $46,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. 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.
Arizona State University came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,759. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. 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. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Community Christian College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Quartzsite, Community Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,675. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,217.
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
