[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2221 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,171. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,824. That is a strong return on a $15,171 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,535. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,706. Set against $13,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #5. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $33,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $38,253. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,775 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $29,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,295 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,979. That is a strong return on a $14,295 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,662 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,995. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $25,967. Set against $13,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
New College Of Florida placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $20,395. That is a strong return on a $15,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $18,557 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $32,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,324. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,301. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Northern New Mexico College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Florida Atlantic University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,453 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $29,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,802. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,797. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,808. That is a strong return on a $13,797 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $22,879 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,899. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,236 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,125. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $31,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,602. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Coppin State University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $41,868. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. Set against $41,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,265 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $62,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
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 · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 366 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/) 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.
