2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Montana
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 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 Montana
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
Miles Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Montana. Miles Community College is a small public school located in the town of Miles City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,500, with out-of-state students paying around $11,220. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,949 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Miles Community College earn a median of $67,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Peck Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Flathead Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,659. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,079. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dawson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Glendive, Dawson Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,010 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Dawson Community College earn a median of $25,631 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Chief Dull Knife College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Lame Deer, Chief Dull Knife College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,260. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,073.
Great Falls College Montana State University earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public school located in the city of Great Falls. Students from in state pay about $4,028 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,911. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,034.
Montana State University Northern ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, with out-of-state students paying around $21,875. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,896. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Helena College University Of Montana placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,278. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,400. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Helena College University Of Montana generally make around $31,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montana State University Billings earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $39,800 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $29,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,800 median debt.
The University Of Montana Western ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. In-state tuition and fees average $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,484. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,924. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $30,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,268. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $31,710 early in their careers. Set against $19,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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. 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
