2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 229 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 the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,214. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $33,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hutchinson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,151. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $25,968. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,313 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $26,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $27,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,507. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williston State College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $31,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Turtle Mountain Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $2,794 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,079 ten years after entry.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $10,418 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $28,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Cowley County Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,966. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,813. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,335. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $27,433. That is a strong return on a $9,335 median debt.
Dodge City Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,817 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $24,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $8,911 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,092. That is a strong return on a $8,911 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $31,041 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,938 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. That is a strong return on a $11,938 median debt.
Century College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,264 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,376. That is a strong return on a $14,264 median debt.
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Riverland Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $38,856. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
