2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Louisiana

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Louisiana
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
Leading the list is Louisiana State University Shreveport, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Louisiana. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Sowela Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,305. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Louisiana State University Alexandria, which ranked #3. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,863 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $32,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,863 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Delta Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,159 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College generally make around $27,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University Eunice earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Louisiana State University Eunice is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Eunice. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,802, with out-of-state students paying around $10,166. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Eunice generally make around $27,391. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
South Louisiana Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $18,278. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of South Louisiana Community College earn a median of $21,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,278 median debt.
Northshore Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Lacombe, Northshore Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,299. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,815 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northshore Technical Community College earn a median of $31,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,815 median debt.
Bossier Parish Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bossier Parish Community College generally make around $27,632. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
River Parishes Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Gonzales, River Parishes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,079. Students borrow a median of $20,608 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of River Parishes Community College earn a median of $49,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,608 median debt.
Nunez Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Nunez Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Chalmette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,255. Students borrow a median of $14,727 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Nunez Community College earn a median of $24,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baton Rouge Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,321. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,300. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Baton Rouge Community College earn a median of $28,650 early in their careers. Set against $17,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Students borrow a median of $26,844 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,951. Set against $26,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,063 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $36,466 early in their careers. Set against $22,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
L E Fletcher Technical Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Schriever, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,219. Students borrow a median of $5,396 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from L E Fletcher Technical Community College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $5,396 median debt.
Delgado Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Delgado Community College is a large public school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $4,279 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,601. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Delgado Community College earn a median of $26,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,601 median debt.
Nicholls State University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,541. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $33,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,368 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $33,418. Set against $27,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $31,419 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Southern University At Shreveport ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,958 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $17,392. Set against $21,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern University At New Orleans ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054, while out-of-state students pay about $16,954. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $55,541 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southern University At New Orleans earn a median of $25,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $55,541 median debt. Southern University At New Orleans admits about 79% of applicants.
Grambling State University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $40,941 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $34,580. That is a strong return on a $40,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,077. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.