2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 164 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in liberal arts in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,214. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $33,011. Set against $10,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $26,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
St Charles Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Central Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $26,198. Set against $8,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,507. Liberal Arts graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $27,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Turtle Mountain Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,794. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,079.
Williston State College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,871. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,357. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,418. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. That is a strong return on a $10,418 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Cowley County Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Marshalltown Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,836. Set against $9,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,817 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,813. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $9,335 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,433. That is a strong return on a $9,335 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,911. Liberal Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $28,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,911 median debt.
Allen County Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Iola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,260, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,596. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Allen County Community College generally make around $25,323. That is a strong return on a $8,596 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $31,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,993. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,306. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $11,938 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. Set against $11,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,375. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $38,856. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Independence Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
Narrow Liberal Arts Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 164 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 96 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.
