2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Idaho
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 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 Idaho
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
College Of Southern Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Idaho. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Students borrow a median of $8,603 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $28,658. That is a strong return on a $8,603 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $9,289 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,104. That is a strong return on a $9,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $13,083 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $30,932 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Eastern Idaho Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Students borrow a median of $14,038 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $29,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,038 median debt.
North Idaho College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,114. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $27,940. Set against $10,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Students borrow a median of $22,099 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $36,271 early in their careers. Set against $22,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Idaho landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,209 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $33,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,966. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $29,433. Set against $26,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Boise State University placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,894. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $40,886 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwest Nazarene University came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Nampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,923. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
