by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 24 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.
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,680. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $29,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,680 median debt.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Tohono Oodham Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $932. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,229 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $34,557. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Cochise College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,957. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $22,982. Set against $9,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,145. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Pioneer College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,759. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $17,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,548. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
South Mountain Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,625. Liberal Arts graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $46,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,986. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $31,759 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $21,600. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $43,752. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Community Christian College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Community Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Quartzsite. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,675. Median earnings reach $39,217 ten years out.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.