2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 105 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Butler County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Pennsylvania. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $6,932 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,932 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Delaware County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,426. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $24,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #5. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,217. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $25,898. Set against $14,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,448. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,697. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reading Area Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,728. That is a strong return on a $11,488 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,455. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peirce College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $15,060. Students borrow a median of $44,247 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Peirce College earn a median of $53,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $44,247 median debt.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,339. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,879. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Community College Of Beaver County placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Community College Of Beaver County generally make around $26,455. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $31,038. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Carlow University came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $35,874 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,222 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $26,867. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
La Salle University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $4,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $23,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. Set against $26,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $28,442 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
