2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Arizona
[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.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Arizona
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 Pima Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,939. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Central Arizona College, which ranked #2. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $29,819. That is a strong return on a $10,680 median debt.
Yavapai College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,154. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $32,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tohono Oodham Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $932. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
Mohave Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $34,557. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,957. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $22,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,957 median debt.
Arizona Western College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Phoenix College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $31,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,145. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $17,129. Set against $5,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 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 $78,359. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
South Mountain Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $33,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coconino Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, while out-of-state students pay about $9,987. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coconino Community College earn a median of $26,862 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,736 median debt.
Mesa Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $46,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,986. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $71,136. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $31,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Northern Arizona University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,600. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Community Christian College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Community Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Quartzsite. In-state tuition and fees average $9,675. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,217.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
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 20 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.
