2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arkansas
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arkansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Northwest Arkansas Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in Arkansas. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $31,313. That is a strong return on a $10,876 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #2 place for general studies. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,018. General Studies graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $29,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $17,381.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Arkansas Northeastern College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,440. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,835. That is a strong return on a $6,440 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Arkansas University Tech one of the best values for general studies. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,302. That is a strong return on a $8,488 median debt.
East Arkansas Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. East Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of Forrest City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $25,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black River Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,428 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $33,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ouachitas placed #8 among the best values for general studies. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
South Arkansas Community College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,324 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,650. General Studies graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,156 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,763. That is a strong return on a $9,156 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,027 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #12 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
Arkansas State University Newport ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,883 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $44,500. That is a strong return on a $8,883 median debt.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $28,907 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $27,317. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,664 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $26,728 early in their careers. Set against $20,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
Southeast Arkansas College earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,484. General Studies graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $24,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,484 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton placed #18 among the best values for general studies. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morrilton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,950. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,710. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
National Park Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,506 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,073. Set against $15,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $36,292 early in their careers. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,143. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $33,881. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $20,683. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,530 early in their careers. Set against $20,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pulaski Technical College placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pulaski Technical College generally make around $30,396. Set against $16,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,228. General Studies graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $30,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
