2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Michigan
[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 63 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Kalamazoo Valley Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $33,055. That is a strong return on a $14,665 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $20,759 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $39,727. Set against $20,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Delta College earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,643. That is a strong return on a $11,511 median debt.
West Shore Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,387. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from West Shore Community College generally make around $25,852. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,264 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,264 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $27,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alpena Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Macomb Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay Mills Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Bay Mills Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Brimley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480. Median earnings reach $30,048 ten years out.
Monroe County Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,488. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,539. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Montcalm Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,405. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,150. Set against $13,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,734. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $29,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Students borrow a median of $15,057 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $15,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,422. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gogebic Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Gogebic Community College is a small public school located in the town of Ironwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Gogebic Community College earn a median of $62,642 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Michigan College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Petoskey. Students from in state pay about $5,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,312. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of North Central Michigan College earn a median of $20,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,312 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,154. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,668 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,958. Set against $16,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,896 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $22,272 early in their careers. Set against $10,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glen Oaks Community College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Glen Oaks Community College generally make around $27,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,197 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $30,002. Set against $12,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,644. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $33,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
