2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Oklahoma
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma City Community College this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $34,626 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Redlands Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,739 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $28,878. That is a strong return on a $8,739 median debt.
Tulsa Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $30,847. That is a strong return on a $13,837 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $38,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Oklahoma College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Albert State College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poteau. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,708. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Carl Albert State College earn a median of $26,648 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,092 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $17,291. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $57,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,291 median debt.
Western Oklahoma State College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,308. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,755. That is a strong return on a $6,308 median debt.
Cameron University placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, compared with $16,515 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $26,189. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cameron University earn a median of $43,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $26,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $5,213, compared with $11,363 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College generally make around $46,400. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,460. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $36,300. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Connors State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $47,964. That is a strong return on a $16,071 median debt.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,767, while out-of-state students pay about $8,383. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,658 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Langston University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Langston University earn a median of $35,510 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern State University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $30,582 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,794. Set against $30,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rogers State University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $45,644. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $57,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,938. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,230, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,336. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Murray State College earn a median of $23,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,336 median debt.
College Of The Muscogee Nation came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Okmulgee, College Of The Muscogee Nation is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,525.
Seminole State College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,610 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,814. That is a strong return on a $8,610 median debt.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $55,222. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,294. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $28,450. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $43,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,450 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Nazarene University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,190. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $30,754. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,445. Set against $30,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 30 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), 2026 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
