2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 150 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,214 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,011. That is a strong return on a $10,214 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Williston State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $31,871. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $26,151 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,313 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,198. Set against $8,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Turtle Mountain Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $2,794 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,079.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,507. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $25,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,638 median debt.
Coffeyville Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,357. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Riverland Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,375. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $38,856 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $24,813 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,817 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,535. Set against $8,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haskell Indian Nations University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $28,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Independence Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Independence Community College generally make around $23,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $25,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,960 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $29,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans. 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.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,111. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $37,802. That is a strong return on a $15,111 median debt.
Bismarck State College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,110. That is a strong return on a $8,400 median debt.
Dodge City Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
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
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 · 150 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 150 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.
