2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Alabama
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Alabama
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Alabama. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes George C Wallace State Community College Dothan one of the best values for liberal arts. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Selma earn a median of $18,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Lurleen B Wallace Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,774. Liberal Arts graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $18,926 early in their careers. Set against $7,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bishop State Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,355 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $20,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,063. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Phenix City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,470. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Enterprise State Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Enterprise State Community College earn a median of $22,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Wadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Students borrow a median of $9,860 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $44,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson State Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $28,176 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James H Faulkner State Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bay Minette. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Military Institute placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Marion, Marion Military Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,538. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Marion Military Institute earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Shelton State Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,127, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,375 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,390. Set against $7,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Students borrow a median of $12,175 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $21,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Alabama Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexander City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,110, compared with $8,980 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,911 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,698. Set against $9,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $33,708. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jacksonville State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,546. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Faulkner University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,920. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Faulkner University generally make around $46,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Faulkner University admits about 73% of applicants.
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
