2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Our analysis ranked Irvine Valley College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the United States. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,754. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,754 median debt.

2

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

3

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Santiago Canyon College, which ranked #3. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. 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 $37,149. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

4

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $6,550 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. Set against $6,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.

7

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,397 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,100 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,914 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $16,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.

16

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,909 median debt.

17

Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

18

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,856. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

20

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,928. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.

24

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $4,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $33,015. Set against $4,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.