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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Century College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Minnesota. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,264. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Riverland Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes North Hennepin Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $13,830 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $37,317. Set against $13,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,239. Liberal Arts graduates of South Central College earn a median of $32,719 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 Inver Hills Community College, which ranked #5. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,575. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $41,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Students borrow a median of $13,249 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,079. Set against $13,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,389. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,262. Set against $11,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pine Technical College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,454 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $44,905. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $37,802. Set against $15,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,963. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $31,817. Set against $13,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Students borrow a median of $12,943 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $32,056. That is a strong return on a $12,943 median debt.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Students borrow a median of $12,788 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. Set against $12,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Students borrow a median of $12,778 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $33,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,778 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $25,100. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $26,133. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,521 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $29,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,875 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,158. Set against $14,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $17,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $28,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $18,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $33,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Bemidji State University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Leech Lake Tribal College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Leech Lake Tribal College is a small public school located in the rural area of Cass Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,163.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
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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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.