2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Michigan

1

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,665. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,055. That is a strong return on a $14,665 median debt.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,759. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $39,727. Set against $20,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Delta College
University Center, MI

A rank of #3 makes Delta College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Delta College earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,643. That is a strong return on a $11,511 median debt.

5

West Shore Community College
Scottville, MI

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at West Shore Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,387 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from West Shore Community College generally make around $25,852. That is a strong return on a $9,387 median debt.

6

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

Lansing Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,264. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,843. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $27,362. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

9

Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI

Alpena Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

10

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,791. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Bay Mills Community College
Brimley, MI

Bay Mills Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $30,048 ten years out.

12

Monroe County Community College
Monroe, MI

Monroe County Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $4,759 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,539. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.

13

Montcalm Community College
Sidney, MI

Montcalm Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Students borrow a median of $13,405 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Montcalm Community College generally make around $28,150. That is a strong return on a $13,405 median debt.

14

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,734. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,158. That is a strong return on a $10,734 median debt.

15

Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,057 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $15,057 median debt.

16

Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI

Northwestern Michigan College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,422. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,706. Set against $11,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Gogebic Community College
Ironwood, MI

Gogebic Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Gogebic Community College earn a median of $62,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

North Central Michigan College
Petoskey, MI

North Central Michigan College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,430, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,312. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI

Wayne County Community College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,703. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Mott Community College
Flint, MI

Mott Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $16,668 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,958. Set against $16,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI

Jackson Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $26,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI

Southwestern Michigan College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,896 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,272. That is a strong return on a $10,896 median debt.

23

Glen Oaks Community College
Centreville, MI

Glen Oaks Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Glen Oaks Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Centreville. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Glen Oaks Community College generally make around $27,987. That is a strong return on a $13,764 median debt.

24

St Clair County Community College
Port Huron, MI

St Clair County Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,197. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $30,002. Set against $12,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,644. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,777. Set against $13,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.