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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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.
Renton Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools in Washington. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,582. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $80,411. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grays Harbor College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $23,049. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Seattle Community College South Campus one of the best values for liberal arts. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Peninsula College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,713 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $23,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Students borrow a median of $8,788 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $30,437. That is a strong return on a $8,788 median debt.
Spokane Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,455. Liberal Arts graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $34,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,455 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,025. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Olympic College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Students borrow a median of $6,598 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $29,917 early in their careers. Set against $6,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $11,991 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,991 median debt.
Centralia College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,266, with out-of-state students paying around $5,651. Liberal Arts graduates of Centralia College earn a median of $77,740 early in their careers.
Seattle Community College North Campus earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $48,739. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Walla Walla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, while out-of-state students pay about $6,700. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,084. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lower Columbia College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,626, while out-of-state students pay about $6,003. Students borrow a median of $9,578 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College generally make around $29,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tacoma Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $25,892. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Whatcom Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,458. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Whatcom Community College generally make around $27,020. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Students borrow a median of $9,496 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shoreline Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,895. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,804. Set against $8,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $61,925. Set against $16,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Yakima Valley Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,873. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,367 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,743. Set against $8,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $30,993. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,944. Liberal Arts graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,944 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.