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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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:
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 Mid South Community College this year. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Northwest Arkansas Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Students borrow a median of $10,876 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $31,313. Set against $10,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $29,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,137. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Rich Mountain Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $17,381.
1
2
3
4
5
Ozarka College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, while out-of-state students pay about $6,820. Students borrow a median of $11,778 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,488. Liberal Arts graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $4,380. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $25,928. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Black River Technical College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,428 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $33,747. Set against $10,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. Students from in state pay about $3,324 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ouachitas earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. In-state tuition and fees average $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,156. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $24,763. That is a strong return on a $9,156 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,027. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. In-state tuition and fees average $3,885, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Newport ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,883. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,601. Set against $8,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $28,907. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,949 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $27,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,664. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $26,728 early in their careers. Set against $20,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Arkansas College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Southeast Arkansas College is a small public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,484 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,880. That is a strong return on a $14,484 median debt.
National Park Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Students borrow a median of $15,506 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,073. That is a strong return on a $15,506 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,950. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,143. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $36,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pulaski Technical College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pulaski Technical College generally make around $30,396. Set against $16,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
26
27
28
This list is compiled 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 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.