[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2221 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AA in Liberal Arts" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AA in Liberal Arts" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in General Studies" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in General Studies" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Finding the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School for You
The right liberal arts / sciences & humanities school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Irvine Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in the United States. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $31,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $29,142. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $27,926. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $31,322. That is a strong return on a $9,348 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Northeast Alabama Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,987. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,228. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,909 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. Set against $10,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,376. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $9,376 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,955 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $24,128 early in their careers. Set against $6,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,856. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,928 median debt.
Canada College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
California State University Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,171. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $30,824. Set against $15,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,372. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
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 · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1042 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).
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
