2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

Delaware County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Westmoreland County Community College
Youngwood, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

3

Community College Of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA

A rank of #3 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for liberal arts. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,217. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $25,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Montgomery County Community College, which ranked #4. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $25,868. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $19,448. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Reading Area Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

7

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.

8

Community College Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Community College Of Philadelphia placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $32,697 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,110, compared with $13,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,488. Liberal Arts graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $24,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA

Peirce College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,060. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $44,247. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Peirce College generally make around $53,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, PA

Luzerne County Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $25,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $23,879 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Community College Of Beaver County
Monaca, PA

Community College Of Beaver County ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Monaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, while out-of-state students pay about $20,700. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

16

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,125. Liberal Arts graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $31,038 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

17

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.

18

Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $30,222. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

19

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.

20

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.

21

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $4,004. Liberal Arts graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $23,774 early in their careers. Set against $4,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.

22

Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,986. Liberal Arts graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. Set against $26,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.

23

Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $28,442 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Lackawanna College
Scranton, PA

Lackawanna College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $13,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $64,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.