by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Turtle Mountain Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in North Dakota. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,794. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,079.
A rank of #2 makes Williston State College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,871. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bismarck State College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Dakota College At Bottineau one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Dakota College At Bottineau generally make around $66,195. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,521. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Fort Totten, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,950 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,008 ten years after entry.
Valley City State University placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $48,241. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Mayville State University placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,926 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $34,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,147 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,614. That is a strong return on a $29,147 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Lake Region State College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,697 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $19,014 early in their careers. Set against $11,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,266. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $24,901 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $42,948. That is a strong return on a $24,901 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.