2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Kentucky

1

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College
Bowling Green, KY

For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $10,949 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,263 early in their careers. Set against $10,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Hazard Community And Technical College
Hazard, KY

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Hazard Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,442 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Owensboro Community And Technical College
Owensboro, KY

Owensboro Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,386 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Hopkinsville Community College
Hopkinsville, KY

Hopkinsville Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $27,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College
Cumberland, KY

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,900. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $26,182. Set against $8,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

West Kentucky Community And Technical College
Paducah, KY

West Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Somerset Community College
Somerset, KY

Somerset Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,625. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $24,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,625 median debt.

8

Ashland Community And Technical College
Ashland, KY

Ashland Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,399 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Big Sandy Community And Technical College
Prestonsburg, KY

Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $8,129 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,504. Set against $8,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $28,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Lexington, KY

Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $30,467. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

12

Henderson Community College
Henderson, KY

Henderson Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Henderson Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $30,204. Set against $11,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Gateway Community And Technical College
Florence, KY

Gateway Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,400. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $36,311. Set against $12,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Maysville Community And Technical College
Maysville, KY

Maysville Community And Technical College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $27,342. That is a strong return on a $12,703 median debt.

15

Jefferson Community And Technical College
Louisville, KY

Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,730. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Jefferson Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,730 median debt.

16

Madisonville Community College
Madisonville, KY

Madisonville Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,218. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $24,019 early in their careers. Set against $9,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,813. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,072. That is a strong return on a $25,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

18

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,162. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $34,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,868. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

21

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,813 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,231 early in their careers. Set against $22,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

22

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

23

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,446. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

24

Lindsey Wilson College
Columbia, KY

Lindsey Wilson College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $30,690. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,700. That is a strong return on a $30,690 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.