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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 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 St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Missouri. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,968. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, 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. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $26,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at State Fair Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $26,386. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,911 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $28,092. That is a strong return on a $8,911 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Students borrow a median of $8,957 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,750. Set against $8,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,638. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,273 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,462. That is a strong return on a $8,273 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 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 Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,783. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $39,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $35,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,332. Set against $35,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Students borrow a median of $43,382 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $21,282. Set against $43,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $32,394 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Set against $32,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,371. Liberal Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $33,014 early in their careers. Set against $28,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cottey College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,562. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,422 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,309. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,366. Set against $23,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.