2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 318 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny City College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,985 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $43,059. Set against $12,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,660 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,935. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $22,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,935 median debt.
Camden County College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,789. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,655. Set against $9,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,498 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $24,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,498 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Carroll Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Chesapeake College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $28,376. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Mercer County Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,870 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $27,586. Set against $5,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,115. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,831. Set against $8,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,057 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $23,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,057 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $19,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,549. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $22,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,302. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $25,792. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Hudson County Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,541. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,343. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $31,335. Set against $10,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Butler County Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,932. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,138. Set against $6,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $28,464. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,469. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $27,852. Set against $13,469 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:
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More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 318 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 145 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.
