2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree School for You
In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees and certificates were awarded to liberal arts general studies students, making the major the most popular in the country.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 851 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for liberal arts students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Colleges.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for an Associate in Liberal Arts General Studies
Our 2023 rankings named Haskell Indian Nations University the best value school in the United States for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Haskell is a fairly small public school located in the city of Lawrence.
On average, liberal arts graduates from Haskell take out $5,347 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Haskell Indian Nations University Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend New Mexico Junior College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at New Mexico Junior College are $2,280 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at New Mexico Junior College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $10,498.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at New Mexico Junior College Report
Out of the 851 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeast Community College Area landed the # 3 spot on the list. Southeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lincoln.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,780 per year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Southeast Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $13,990.
Southeast Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeast Community College Area
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means American Public University System is a great value for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at American Military University are $7,360 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at American Military University take out while working on their Associate Degree is $10,159.
American Military University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Highland Community College is a great value for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Highland Community College are $3,570 a year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Highland Community College carry an average student debtload of $13,241.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Highland Community College Report
Columbia Southern University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Columbia Southern University carry an average student debtload of $21,013.
Columbia Southern University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia Southern University Report
Leech Lake Tribal College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the rural area of Cass Lake, Leech Lake Tribal College is a public school with a fairly small student population.
Leech Lake Tribal College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,926 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Leech Lake Tribal College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $5,426.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Leech Lake Tribal College also is in the top 15% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Metropolitan Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. MCC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Omaha.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year. On average, liberal arts graduates from MCC take out $11,848 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, MCC also is in the top 10% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Metropolitan Community College Report
North Hennepin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
North Hennepin Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,882 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from North Hennepin Community College carry an average student debtload of $19,456.
North Hennepin Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,515 a year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus accumulate an average of around $16,841 in student debt.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus also is in the top 1% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Johnson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. JCCC is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from JCCC carry an average student debtload of $12,689.
JCCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Johnson County Community College Report
Collin County Community College District landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a public school with a very large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 per year. On average, liberal arts graduates from Collin County Community College District take out $13,712 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Collin County Community College District also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Collin County Community College District
Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Rochester.
Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,372 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at Rochester Community and Technical College take out an average of $18,661 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rochester Community and Technical College also is in the top 10% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking.
St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 a year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at St Cloud Technical and Community College accumulate an average of around $16,986 in student debt.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, St Cloud Technical and Community College also did well on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. NWACC is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Bentonville.
NWACC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,456 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at NWACC take out an average of $13,692 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
New Mexico State University - Carlsbad did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the rural area of Carlsbad, NMSU Carlsbad is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NMSU Carlsbad are $4,008 a year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at NMSU Carlsbad accumulate an average of around $15,695 in student debt.
Normandale Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the small city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Normandale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,789 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Normandale Community College accumulate an average of around $16,425 in student debt.
Normandale Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, UWM Flexible Option is a public college with a fairly small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UWM Flexible Option are $6,750 per year. Liberal Arts majors at UWM Flexible Option take out an average of $13,206 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
South Seattle College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. South Seattle is a small public school located in the city of Seattle.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Seattle are $4,831 a year. On average, liberal arts graduates from South Seattle take out $11,686 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at South Seattle College Report
Cascadia College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking. Cascadia College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bothell.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cascadia College are $4,768 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Cascadia College take out an average of $10,408 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cascadia College
With a ranking of #21, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the remote town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community and Technical College is a public school with a small student population.
Northland Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,052 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Northland Community and Technical College carry an average student debtload of $16,020.
In addition to its great value ranking, Northland Community and Technical College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Northland Community and Technical College Report
Garden City Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the remote town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Garden City Community College are $4,020 a year. Liberal Arts majors at Garden City Community College take out an average of $8,162 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Century College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Century College are $5,907 per year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Century College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $18,772.
Century College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Century College
With a ranking of #24, Central Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the small city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Central Community College are $4,590 a year. Liberal Arts majors at Central Community College take out an average of $9,935 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Central Community College Report
Cloud County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Cloud County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Concordia.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Cloud County Community College are $3,570 a year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Cloud County Community College carry an average student debtload of $10,597.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cloud County Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools
Remaining Award Winners
This section represents the rest of the schools awarded a Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 851 different United States liberal arts general studies schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools award.
Liberal Arts General Studies by Region
View the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
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| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
Liberal Arts General Studies Related Majors for Liberal Arts
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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.
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