by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) 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 1597 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $43,059. Set against $12,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,171 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $33,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,253. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,535. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,706. That is a strong return on a $13,535 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
1
2
3
4
5
California State University Bakersfield placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $29,148. That is a strong return on a $13,775 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,295 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,995 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $25,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,662. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $18,557 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New College Of Florida earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. Students from in state pay about $6,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $20,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $43,186. Set against $22,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $33,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northern New Mexico College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $13,797 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $19,453 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,605. Set against $19,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,236 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. Set against $24,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,602. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Coppin State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $41,868. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The University Of West Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $31,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,656. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $31,568. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Utah Valley University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $21,458 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,366 early in their careers. Set against $21,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $37,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Liberal Arts rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1597 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 217 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
