2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 429 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's 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.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts General Studies
Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best value school in the United States for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at American Military University are $7,360 per year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $9,438 in student debt.
American Military University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at American Public University System Report
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year. On average, liberal arts graduates from BYU - I take out $16,062 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Thomas Edison State University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Trenton, TESU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
TESU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,342 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at TESU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $23,069.
In addition to its great value ranking, TESU is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Thomas Edison State University Report
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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Columbia College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Columbia College Missouri are $11,636 a year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from Columbia College Missouri carry an average student debtload of $31,039.
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A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Excelsior College is a great value for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the small city of Albany, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from Excelsior College carry an average student debtload of $17,489.
Excelsior College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
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Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU are $6,120 per year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at BYU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $9,246.
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Brandman University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.
Brandman undergraduate students pay an average of $12,480 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at Brandman take out an average of $29,737 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Brandman also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
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National University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. National University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Jolla.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at National University are $13,320 a year. Liberal Arts majors at National University take out an average of $27,975 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, National University also is in the top 15% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking.
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Charter Oak State College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Charter Oak State College is a small public school located in the large suburb of New Britain.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Charter Oak State College are $10,654 per year. On average, liberal arts graduates from Charter Oak State College take out $25,077 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Charter Oak State College also did well on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Charter Oak State College Report
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Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a very large student population.
ASU - Skysong undergraduate students pay an average of $13,092 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at ASU - Skysong accumulate an average of around $31,145 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 $240.
ASU - Skysong also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
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Western Illinois University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the remote town of Macomb, WIU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WIU are $13,297 a year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at WIU accumulate an average of around $30,879 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $216, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #12, Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the remote town of Portales, ENMU - Main Campus is a public college with a small student population.
ENMU - Main Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $8,568 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at ENMU - Main Campus take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $24,045.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Report
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Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at IWU are $9,239 a year. On average, liberal arts graduates from IWU take out $29,340 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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With a ranking of #14, South Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Dakota State are $12,809 a year.
In addition to its great value ranking, South Dakota State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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With a ranking of #15, Metropolitan State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Metro State is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Metro State are $9,394 a year. On average, liberal arts graduates from Metro State take out $34,139 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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West Texas A&M University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the fringe town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
West Texas A&M University undergraduate students pay an average of $11,208 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at West Texas A&M University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,483.
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Baker College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Baker College are $12,420 per year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at Baker College accumulate an average of around $40,126 in student debt.
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University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. UW Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW Oshkosh are $15,306 a year. On average, liberal arts graduates from UW Oshkosh take out $33,045 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Report
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Minot State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the remote town of Minot, MSU is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU are $8,163 per year.
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Wilmington University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle.
Wilmington University undergraduate students pay an average of $11,760 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts majors at Wilmington University take out an average of $31,330 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, Wilmington University is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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With a ranking of #22, West Virginia University at Parkersburg did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Parkersburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Virginia University at Parkersburg are $8,642 per year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at West Virginia University at Parkersburg take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $20,159.
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Fort Hays State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the remote town of Hays, FHSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FHSU are $15,870 per year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from FHSU carry an average student debtload of $30,324.
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University of North Dakota landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UND are $15,037 per year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at UND accumulate an average of around $24,522 in student debt.
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Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Arecibo.
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo undergraduate students pay an average of $5,443 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo carry an average student debtload of $20,556.
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Remaining Award Winners
This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 429 different United States liberal arts general studies schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC |
| 52 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX |
| 52 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Durant, OK |
| 54 | Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, TX |
| 55 | University of Mary | Bismarck, ND |
| 56 | Mansfield University of Pennsylvania | Mansfield, PA |
| 56 | Troy University | Troy, AL |
| 58 | Union University | Jackson, TN |
| 59 | Henderson State University | Arkadelphia, AR |
| 60 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA |
| 60 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez | Mayaguez, PR |
| 62 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, IL |
| 62 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI |
| 64 | Miami University - Hamilton | Hamilton, OH |
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 Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
Liberal Arts General Studies by Region
View the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| 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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