[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 589 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
Seminole State College Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in the Southeast Region. 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, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,376 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,376 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,909. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,699 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $24,056. Set against $7,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,660. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $26,671. That is a strong return on a $6,660 median debt.
Florida Gateway College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $21,925. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,681. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,876. Set against $11,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,942. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
University Of Florida Online ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $17,779. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,822. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Hinds Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,603 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $20,965 early in their careers. Set against $9,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,994, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $29,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,606. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $30,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $26,028 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,037 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Johnston Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,812. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. That is a strong return on a $7,000 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:
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 · 589 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 299 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
