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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Indiana

19 Colleges in the United States
$24,794 Avg Student Debt
$52,491 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Badge [Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.

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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Indiana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Indiana University Kokomo this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,236. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. That is a strong return on a $24,236 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

2
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,026 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $37,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,948 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $29,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $41,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5
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Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $35,239. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.

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6

Indiana University Northwest placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

7

Indiana University South Bend placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,319 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,716. That is a strong return on a $25,319 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $39,564. Set against $24,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

9

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,707. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $34,573 early in their careers. Set against $17,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

10

Purdue University Northwest landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,517 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,295. That is a strong return on a $29,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

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11

Indiana University East placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $29,072 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,936. That is a strong return on a $29,072 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

12
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Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,917 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $79,921. Set against $17,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

13

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,671. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

14
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,414. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

15
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Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN

Oakland City University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,266. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $62,655. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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16

Ball State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,965 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $27,724 early in their careers. Set against $26,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,844. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,637. That is a strong return on a $25,844 median debt.

18
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.

19

Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,211. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

20

Bethel College Mishawaka ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $31,754. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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21

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,896 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $38,348. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earn a median of $29,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,348 median debt.

22

Indiana Wesleyan University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $32,352. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,844 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,637. That is a strong return on a $25,844 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23
Marian University Indiana crest
Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Marian University Indiana came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,664. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,633 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Marian University Indiana earn a median of $49,784 early in their careers. Set against $28,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24
Holy Cross College crest
Holy Cross College
Notre Dame, IN

Holy Cross College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,586. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,043. That is a strong return on a $23,586 median debt. Holy Cross College admits about 75% of applicants.

25

University Of Notre Dame came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $45,579. That is a strong return on a $18,800 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.

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Notes and References

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 · 44 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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