2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Minnesota
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 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 Minnesota
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
Riverland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Minnesota. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $38,856. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at St Cloud Technical And Community College, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,111 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,802. Set against $15,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at South Central College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $12,239 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $32,719. Set against $12,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Ridgewater College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,389. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $29,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Century College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Century College generally make around $38,376. That is a strong return on a $14,264 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,249 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $27,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,249 median debt.
Inver Hills Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $14,575 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $41,906. That is a strong return on a $14,575 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Students borrow a median of $13,830 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,317. Set against $13,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,963. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $31,817. Set against $13,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,521 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $29,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Lake Nation College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Red Lake, Red Lake Nation College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,640.
White Earth Tribal And Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Mahnomen, White Earth Tribal And Community College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,490 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $18,044 ten years after entry.
Normandale Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,778. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,809. That is a strong return on a $12,778 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,788. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College generally make around $30,455. Set against $12,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,730. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pine Technical College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,454. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $44,905. Set against $22,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Leech Lake Tribal College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Cass Lake, Leech Lake Tribal College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,163 in tuition and fees.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $28,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $26,133. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $35,158 early in their careers. Set against $14,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $48,984. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $34,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,016. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $47,898. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rest of the Top 38 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
