[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
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.
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the United States. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,985 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,171 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $30,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton 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 Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,535 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $24,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,453. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,588. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,253. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,775 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,148. Set against $13,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,295 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,979. That is a strong return on a $14,295 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $13,662 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $25,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,995. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,967. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
New College Of Florida landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,314 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $20,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,557 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $32,909 early in their careers. Set against $18,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $33,324 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,301 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $43,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northern New Mexico College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Florida Atlantic University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $19,453. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $29,605. Set against $19,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,797 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,879. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $38,899. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,236. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,236 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,140. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Coppin State University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $41,868. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $50,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.
American Public University System earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,265. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $62,059. That is a strong return on a $6,265 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
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 · 2221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 332 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
