by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1597 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study liberal arts affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Liberal Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Liberal Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Irvine Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,985. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
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Santiago Canyon College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,142 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Golden West College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $27,926. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,987. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
Trident Technical College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $9,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,909. Liberal Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. Set against $10,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $33,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
St Petersburg College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,699 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Set against $12,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
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These schools also placed among the best values for liberal arts this year:
A few more high-value liberal arts schools worth a look:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Liberal Arts. See all related rankings.
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 · 1597 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 841 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.