by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Century College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Minnesota. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. 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.
Riverland Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. 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.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at North Hennepin Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,830 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $37,317 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Central College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $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 #5 makes Inver Hills Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,575 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of $41,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,575 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Students borrow a median of $13,249 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,079. That is a strong return on a $13,249 median debt.
Ridgewater College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,389 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,262. Set against $11,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,111. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $37,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,111 median debt.
Pine Technical College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,454. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pine Technical College generally make around $44,905. Set against $22,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Lake Nation College ranked #10 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $6,640 in tuition and fees.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Students borrow a median of $13,963 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,817. That is a strong return on a $13,963 median debt.
Anoka Ramsey Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Students borrow a median of $12,943 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,788 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. Set against $12,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
White Earth Tribal And Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Mahnomen, White Earth Tribal And Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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 #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,778. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $33,809 early in their careers. Set against $12,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,827. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $25,100. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,521 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,308. Set against $11,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $35,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $28,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $18,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,819. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.