2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Kentucky
[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.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Kentucky
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
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,949 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,263 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 Hazard Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,442 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,442 median debt.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,900 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,182. Set against $8,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,386. Liberal Arts graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $26,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hopkinsville Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,978. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Somerset Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,279. Set against $12,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Paducah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $26,590. That is a strong return on a $9,531 median debt.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $22,504. That is a strong return on a $8,129 median debt.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,399 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $28,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Henderson Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Henderson Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,516. Liberal Arts graduates of Henderson Community College earn a median of $30,204 early in their careers. Set against $11,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,703 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $27,342. That is a strong return on a $12,703 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,311. That is a strong return on a $12,400 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $30,467. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,218 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,019. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,730 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,813. Liberal Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $36,072 early in their careers. Set against $25,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Kentucky State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,497. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $28,162 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,304. That is a strong return on a $28,162 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $30,690 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,690 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Louisville landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,001. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $22,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Campbellsville University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $28,956 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $43,474. That is a strong return on a $28,956 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas More College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $29,358. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Thomas More College generally make around $62,607. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas More College admits about 90% of applicants.
Bellarmine University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $46,024. That is a strong return on a $26,766 median debt. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Union College Kentucky ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Barbourville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,946. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Union College Kentucky earn a median of $54,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Union College Kentucky admits about 63% of applicants.
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
