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Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

249 Colleges
$5,495 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$24,682 Avg Salary

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.

2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for liberal arts majors pursuing a associate degree.

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.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at American Military University are $7,360 a year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $10,159 in student debt.

American Military University also made our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list, coming in at #2.

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#2

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Out of the 249 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia Southern University landed the # 2 spot on the list. 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. 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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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a great value for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. NWACC is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Bentonville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NWACC are $4,456 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at NWACC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $13,692.

In addition to its great value ranking, NWACC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Out of the 249 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Arkansas State University Mid-South landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of West Memphis, ASU Mid-South is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASU Mid-South are $4,234 a 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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#5

Coahoma Community College

Clarksdale, MS

Out of the 249 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Coahoma Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Coahoma Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Coahoma Community College are $3,003 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Coahoma Community College take out an average of $9,298 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Coahoma Community College

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the rural area of De Queen, UA Cossatot is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UA Cossatot are $4,410 a year. Liberal Arts majors at UA Cossatot take out an average of $7,415 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

East Arkansas Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at East Arkansas Community College are $3,720 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from East Arkansas Community College carry an average student debtload of $9,021.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at East Arkansas Community College

Arkansas State University - Beebe landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the town of Beebe, ASU-Beebe is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU-Beebe are $4,656 per 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 came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. ASUN is a small public school located in the rural area of Newport.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASUN are $4,320 a year. After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from ASUN carry an average student debtload of $13,431.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Arkansas State University - Newport

#10

Pearl River Community College

Poplarville, MS

With a ranking of #10, Pearl River Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. 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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pearl River Community College

With a ranking of #11, South Piedmont Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. 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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With a ranking of #12, Louisiana Delta Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. LDCC is a small public school located in the rural area of Monroe.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LDCC are $4,159 a year. On average, liberal arts graduates from LDCC take out $21,383 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Louisiana Delta Community College Report

#13

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Delgado Community College is a large public school located in the large city of New Orleans.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Delgado Community College are $4,079 a 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 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 distant 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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton

Florence-Darlington Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the suburb of Florence, Florence-Darlington Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Florence-Darlington Technical College are $6,742 a year.

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South Louisiana Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lafayette.

South Louisiana Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,205 in tuition and fees each 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 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. 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.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Itawamba Community College Report

#18

Arkansas Northeastern College

Blytheville, AR

Arkansas Northeastern 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 #18 on the list. Located in the rural area of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Arkansas Northeastern College are $4,138 a 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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#19

Craven Community College

New Bern, NC

With a ranking of #19, Craven 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 city of New Bern, Craven Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Craven Community College are $6,630 per year. While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Craven Community College accumulate an average of around $8,996 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Craven Community College Report

#20

Georgia Military College

Milledgeville, GA

Georgia Military College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Georgia Military College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville.

Georgia Military College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,390 in tuition and fees each 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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#21

Meridian Community College

Meridian, MS

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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Meridian Community College

With a ranking of #22, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. 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.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, HCC also did well on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Hillsborough Community College Report

With a ranking of #23, Orangeburg Calhoun 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 rural area of Orangeburg, OCtech is a public school with a small student population.

OCtech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,490 in tuition and fees each 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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With a ranking of #24, Alamance 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 rural area of Graham, ACC is a public college with a small student population.

ACC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,070 in tuition and fees each 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 excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Alamance Community College Report

#25

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

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 large 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.

SPC also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

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Rest of the Top Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, AR
#34

Hinds Community College

Raymond, MS
#35

Baton Rouge Community College

Baton Rouge, LA
#36

Tallahassee Community College

Tallahassee, FL

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 schools 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

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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