2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 105 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Our analysis ranked Butler County Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $6,932 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,426. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $24,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,217 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,898. That is a strong return on a $14,217 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $25,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $19,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,697. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Reading Area Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peirce College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $15,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $44,247 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Peirce College generally make around $53,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $25,339. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 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 Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $23,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Beaver County earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Beaver County generally make around $26,455. Set against $14,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $31,038. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Carlow University landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $30,222. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
La Salle University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $4,004. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,774. That is a strong return on a $4,004 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Students borrow a median of $26,986 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $28,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
