[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2221 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies School for You
The liberal arts general studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Irvine Valley College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,926. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Golden West College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,348. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,678. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,678. Set against $10,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,376 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,955. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,128. That is a strong return on a $6,955 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,451. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
California State University Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,171. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $30,824. That is a strong return on a $15,171 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
This ranking is produced 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 · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1154 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).
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
