2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 249 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for liberal arts students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. 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.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best Southeast Region Schools for Affordable Quality for an Associate in Liberal Arts General Studies
Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best value school in the Southeast Region 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 town of Charles Town.
American Military University undergraduate students pay an average of $7,360 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $10,159 in student debt.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, American Military University is ranked #2 for overall quality for liberal arts in the Southeast Region .
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia Southern University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Orange Beach.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Columbia Southern University take out an average of $21,013 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Columbia Southern University is ranked #3 for overall quality for liberal arts in the Southeast Region .
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend NorthWest Arkansas Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. 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. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at NWACC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $13,692.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NWACC also is in the top 15% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
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The excellent associate degree programs at Arkansas State University Mid-South helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the large suburb of West Memphis, ASU Mid-South is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU Mid-South are $4,234 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from ASU Mid-South carry an average student debtload of $5,673.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Coahoma Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Coahoma Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale.
Coahoma Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,003 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at Coahoma Community College take out an average of $9,298 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the rural area of De Queen, UA Cossatot is a public college with a small student population.
UA Cossatot undergraduate students pay an average of $4,410 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at UA Cossatot take out an average of $7,415 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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With a ranking of #7, East Arkansas 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 town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a public college with a small student population.
East Arkansas Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,720 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from East Arkansas Community College carry an average student debtload of $9,021.
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Arkansas State University - Beebe 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. Located in the town of Beebe, ASU-Beebe is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASU-Beebe are $4,656 a year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at ASU-Beebe accumulate an average of around $9,798 in student debt.
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Arkansas State University - Newport 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. ASUN is a small public school located in the rural area of Newport.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASUN are $4,320 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from ASUN carry an average student debtload of $13,431.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Arkansas State University - Newport Report
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Pearl River Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Pearl River Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Poplarville.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pearl River Community College are $4,500 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Pearl River Community College take out an average of $10,211 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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South Piedmont Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Polkton.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Piedmont Community College are $6,623 per year. Liberal Arts majors at South Piedmont Community College take out an average of $11,068 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, South Piedmont Community College also is in the top 10% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
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Louisiana Delta Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. LDCC is a small public school located in the rural area of Monroe.
LDCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,159 in tuition and fees each year. On average, liberal arts graduates from LDCC take out $21,383 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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Delgado Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Delgado Community College is a large public school located in the large city of New Orleans.
Delgado Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,079 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at Delgado Community College take out an average of $27,855 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the town of Morrilton, UACCM is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UACCM are $4,128 per year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at UACCM accumulate an average of around $10,788 in student debt.
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Florence-Darlington Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Florence, Florence-Darlington Technical College is a public college with a small student population.
Florence-Darlington Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,742 in tuition and fees each year.
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South Louisiana 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 #16 on the list. South Louisiana Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Lafayette.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Louisiana Community College are $4,205 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from South Louisiana Community College carry an average student debtload of $18,717.
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Itawamba Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. ICC is a small public school located in the town of Fulton.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ICC are $5,360 per year. Liberal Arts majors at ICC take out an average of $9,640 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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Arkansas Northeastern College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the rural area of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Arkansas Northeastern College are $4,138 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Arkansas Northeastern College take out an average of $8,765 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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Craven Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of New Bern, Craven Community College is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Craven Community College are $6,630 a year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Craven Community College accumulate an average of around $8,996 in student debt.
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Georgia Military 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 #20 on the list. Georgia Military College is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Georgia Military College are $6,390 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Georgia Military College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $12,843.
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With a ranking of #21, Meridian Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. MCC is a small public school located in the town of Meridian.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $5,428 per year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at MCC accumulate an average of around $7,353 in student debt.
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Hillsborough Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. HCC is a large public school located in the city of Tampa.
HCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,111 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at HCC accumulate an average of around $14,800 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $114.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, HCC also is in the top 5% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
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Orangeburg Calhoun 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 #23 on the list. Located in the rural area of Orangeburg, OCtech is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at OCtech are $7,490 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at OCtech take out while working on their Associate Degree is $16,463.
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Alamance Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the rural area of Graham, ACC is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ACC are $8,070 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at ACC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $9,821.
ACC also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
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St Petersburg College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Clearwater, SPC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
SPC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,286 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at SPC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $17,385.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SPC also is in the top 5% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
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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 in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS |
| 39 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL |
| 40 | Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff, AR |
| 41 | Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC |
| 41 | Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC |
| 43 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC |
| 44 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS |
| 45 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC |
| 46 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena, AR |
| 46 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL |
| 48 | National Park College | Hot Springs, AR |
| 49 | Rockingham Community College | Wentworth, NC |
Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges by State
Explore the best liberal arts general studies colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Georgia | 7,724 |
| Virginia | 9,302 |
| North Carolina | 18,234 |
| Florida | 64,444 |
| Tennessee | 10,186 |
| Kentucky | 6,493 |
| South Carolina | 4,243 |
| Louisiana | 2,864 |
| Arkansas | 5,205 |
| Alabama | 5,890 |
| Mississippi | 5,696 |
| West Virginia | 3,558 |
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings in the Southeast Region
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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