by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
North Iowa Area Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools in Iowa. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,335 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,433. That is a strong return on a $9,335 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. Set against $10,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Marshalltown Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $29,836 early in their careers. Set against $9,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,938. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Iowa Central Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $11,330 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $23,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $27,697. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,706. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,209 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $30,321 early in their careers. Set against $14,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $29,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $31,453. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,003. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,966. That is a strong return on a $11,003 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,193 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small 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 $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $22,519. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,414 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $27,677 early in their careers. Set against $8,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $40,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $24,968. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,623. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,532. That is a strong return on a $28,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Iowa ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,269. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Maharishi University Of Management placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $73,644. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Grand View University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $39,996 early in their careers. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $23,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $51,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,709. Liberal Arts graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.