2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Georgia
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 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 Georgia
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 Coastal Pines Technical College this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,812. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,655. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,492. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,864. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,718. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $47,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,619. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,651. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dalton State College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $23,664. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Albany Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. 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 $41,631. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Savannah Technical College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,064. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Highlands College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $10,080. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Georgia Highlands College generally make around $28,403. Set against $11,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,248 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Atlanta Metropolitan State College generally make around $23,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,400, with out-of-state students paying around $5,968. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southeastern Technical College generally make around $38,284. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt.
Augusta Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,892. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
University Of North Georgia came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $31,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,484 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Savannah State University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,770. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. That is a strong return on a $20,770 median debt.
South Georgia State College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $10,274. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $25,002. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
