2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Alabama

1

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

Our analysis ranked Northeast Alabama Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Alabama. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.

2

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Dothan, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Andalusia, AL

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Lurleen B Wallace Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

George C Wallace State Community College Selma
Selma, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Selma came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden, AL

A rank of #5 makes Gadsden State Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,774 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,926. Set against $7,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Bishop State Community College
Mobile, AL

Bishop State Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,355 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of $22,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, AL

Northwest Shoals Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $20,414. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Bevill State Community College
Jasper, AL

Bevill State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $25,063 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Snead State Community College
Boaz, AL

Snead State Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,278, while out-of-state students pay about $9,148. Students borrow a median of $9,597 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Snead State Community College earn a median of $22,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
Birmingham, AL

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $26,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.

11

H Councill Trenholm State Technical College
Montgomery, AL

H Councill Trenholm State Technical College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.

12

Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Phenix City, AL

Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Phenix City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $28,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.

13

Enterprise State Community College
Enterprise, AL

Enterprise State Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,991. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.

14

John C Calhoun State Community College
Tanner, AL

John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from John C Calhoun State Community College generally make around $24,455. Set against $11,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Southern Union State Community College
Wadley, AL

Southern Union State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Wadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,860 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southern Union State Community College earn a median of $26,174 early in their careers. Set against $9,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Jefferson State Community College
Birmingham, AL

Jefferson State Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $28,176 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

James H Faulkner State Community College
Bay Minette, AL

James H Faulkner State Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bay Minette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $22,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Marion Military Institute
Marion, AL

Marion Military Institute landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Marion Military Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,538. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Marion Military Institute earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marion Military Institute admits about 97% of applicants.

19

Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL

Shelton State Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,127 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,375. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,504 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $37,838. That is a strong return on a $27,504 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, AL

Stillman College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,126. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,421. The acceptance rate is 62%.

22

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
Hanceville, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,175. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $21,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Central Alabama Community College
Alexander City, AL

Central Alabama Community College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,980 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,911 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,698 early in their careers. Set against $9,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Alabama A And M University
Normal, AL

Alabama A And M University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $33,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $28,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

25

Auburn University At Montgomery
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $29,746. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $33,708. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.