2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 229 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,214 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $33,011 early in their careers. Set against $10,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $26,151 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,313 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $26,643. Set against $7,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $27,303 early in their careers. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williston State College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $31,871 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Turtle Mountain Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,794. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,079 ten years after entry.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $10,418 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. That is a strong return on a $10,418 median debt.
Coffeyville Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $28,357. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $25,966. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,960. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,335. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $27,433. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dodge City Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,817. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $24,535. That is a strong return on a $8,817 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,911. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $28,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $31,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $11,938 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Century College generally make around $38,376. Set against $14,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Riverland Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $38,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
Narrow Liberal Arts General Studies Schools by State
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 115 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.
