by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 19 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Turtle Mountain Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in North Dakota. Located in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,794. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,079.
Williston State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $31,871. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Bismarck State College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Tribes Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,292.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #5. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $31,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Cankdeska Cikana Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Totten. Students from in state pay about $3,950 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $17,008 ten years out.
Lake Region State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Students borrow a median of $11,697 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $19,014 early in their careers. Set against $11,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minot State University came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,147. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $44,614. That is a strong return on a $29,147 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Valley City State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,074. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $48,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota College At Bottineau placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $66,195. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Mayville State University landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,926 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $34,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,926 median debt.
Dickinson State University came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
University Of Mary placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $24,901 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $42,948. That is a strong return on a $24,901 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.