by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Manchester Community College Nh this year. Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Median earnings reach $49,063 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nashua Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Located in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,140, compared with $15,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,497. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Great Bay Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
White Mountains Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. White Mountains Community College is a small public school located in the town of Berlin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $15,300. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $60,162. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lakes Region Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Laconia, Lakes Region Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,720, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970. Median earnings reach $51,182 ten years out.
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Nhti Concords Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Students borrow a median of $14,098 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Nhti Concords Community College generally make around $30,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.