2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Our analysis ranked Seminole State College Of Florida the best value for a degree in liberal arts in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. 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.

2

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,376 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,166. Set against $9,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

A rank of #3 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #4. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,909. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $30,678. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.

5

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #5 place 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,699 median debt.

6

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,104. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $24,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.

7

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,660 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,671. That is a strong return on a $6,660 median debt.

8

Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL

Florida Gateway College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $21,925 early in their careers. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkes Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,681. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.

10

Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

Durham Technical Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,321. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Dothan, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $26,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, NC

Rockingham Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

North Florida Community College
Madison, FL

North Florida Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $29,129. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Chipola College
Marianna, FL

Chipola College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,678. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

16

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $19,606 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

17

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

18

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,037. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.

19

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,131. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

21

Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Andalusia, AL

Lurleen B Wallace Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,295. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL

Hillsborough Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $30,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Liberal Arts graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $28,120 early in their careers.

25

Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, VA

Patrick Henry Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $21,360. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.