2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Lehman College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge 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 Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $42,557. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $30,676 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,230 early in their careers. Set against $30,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

5

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,195 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,920. That is a strong return on a $6,195 median debt.

6

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

7

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,898. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $52,522. Set against $25,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $38,562. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $37,716. That is a strong return on a $38,562 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

10

Clayton State University
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $37,588 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.

11

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $29,723. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $55,570 early in their careers. Set against $29,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

12

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $63,938. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

13

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $56,503. That is a strong return on a $25,592 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $38,972. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $55,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,241. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

16

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,757. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.

17

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,546 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $30,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,993. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,700. Set against $25,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

19

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $74,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $64,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

21

Auburn University At Montgomery
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $33,708 early in their careers. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $64,717 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.

23

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,314. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $53,388. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,147. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $94,745. That is a strong return on a $19,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.