by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Turtle Mountain Community College this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,079.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williston State College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,871. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Bismarck State College, which ranked #3. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 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 Bismarck State College generally make around $33,358. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes United Tribes Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $31,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
1
2
3
4
5
Cankdeska Cikana Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Fort Totten, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,950. Median earnings reach $17,008 ten years out.
Lake Region State College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,520 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,697 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $19,014. Set against $11,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minot State University came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $29,147 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,614. Set against $29,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Valley City State University came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $48,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Dakota College At Bottineau generally make around $66,195. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mayville State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,926 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $34,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,926 median debt.
Dickinson State University earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,901. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $42,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.