by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Century College this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Century College earn a median of $38,376 early in their careers. Set against $14,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes North Hennepin Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $37,317. Set against $13,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes South Central College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $32,719. That is a strong return on a $12,239 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Inver Hills Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,575 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of $41,906 early in their careers. Set against $14,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,249. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $27,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $11,389 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,262. Set against $11,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,111 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $37,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,111 median debt.
Pine Technical College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,454. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $44,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
Red Lake Nation College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Red Lake, Red Lake Nation College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,640.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $31,817. That is a strong return on a $13,963 median debt.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,943. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,056. That is a strong return on a $12,943 median debt.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Students borrow a median of $12,788 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. Set against $12,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
White Earth Tribal And Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Mahnomen, White Earth Tribal And Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,490. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $18,044.
Normandale Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,778 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $33,809. Set against $12,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $25,100. Set against $15,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $34,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Students borrow a median of $11,521 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $29,308. That is a strong return on a $11,521 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $35,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,875 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,858. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $18,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $18,730. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,016. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.