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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New York
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
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Cuny City College this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,251. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,498. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,758. Set against $11,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $19,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $8,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,115 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $27,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,115 median debt.
Orange County Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,625. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $20,630. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,090. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $23,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Greene Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $28,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,764. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,417. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,390. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $21,840. That is a strong return on a $8,390 median debt.
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:
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
