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.
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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Check out the liberal arts bachelor's degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.
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 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 Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $9,438 in student debt.
In addition to its great value ranking, American Military University is 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
Out of the 429 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school 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.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Edison State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the small city of Trenton, TESU is a public school with a medium-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.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, TESU also did well on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Thomas Edison State University Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college 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.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia College Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Excelsior College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit school 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Excelsior College also is in the top 5% of our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Excelsior College Report
Brigham Young University - Provo 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 #6 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU are $6,120 a 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.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo Report
Brandman 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 #7 on the list. Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Brandman are $12,480 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Brandman take out an average of $29,737 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Brandman also did well on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Brandman University Report
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 fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of La Jolla.
National University undergraduate students pay an average of $13,320 in tuition and fees each 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.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at National University
Charter Oak State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Charter Oak State College is a small public school located in the large suburb of New Britain.
Charter Oak State College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,654 in tuition and fees each 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.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Charter Oak State College
Arizona State University - Skysong 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 #10 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public college with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASU - Skysong are $13,092 a 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 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.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Arizona State University - Skysong
Western Illinois University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Macomb, WIU is a public college with a medium-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.
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 town of Portales, ENMU - Main Campus is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ENMU - Main Campus are $8,568 per 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
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 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.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
South Dakota State University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a large student population.
South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, South Dakota State also did well on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at South Dakota State University Report
Metropolitan State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metro State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Metro State undergraduate students pay an average of $9,394 in tuition and fees each year. On average, liberal arts graduates from Metro State take out $34,139 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Metropolitan State University
With a ranking of #17, West Texas A&M 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 town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Texas A&M University are $11,208 per 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.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at West Texas A&M University Report
Baker College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Owosso.
Baker College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,420 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at Baker College accumulate an average of around $40,126 in student debt.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. UW Oshkosh is a large public school located in the small city of Oshkosh.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW Oshkosh are $15,306 per 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
Minot 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 #20 on the list. Located in the town of Minot, MSU is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MSU are $8,163 a year.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Minot State University
Wilmington University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wilmington University are $11,760 per year. Liberal Arts majors at Wilmington University take out an average of $31,330 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Wilmington University also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Wilmington University Report
West Virginia University at Parkersburg came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Parkersburg.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg undergraduate students pay an average of $8,642 in tuition and fees each 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.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at West Virginia University at Parkersburg Report
Fort Hays State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Hays, FHSU is a public school with a large student population.
FHSU undergraduate students pay an average of $15,870 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from FHSU carry an average student debtload of $30,324.
Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Fort Hays State University Report
University of North Dakota ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public college with a fairly large student population.
UND undergraduate students pay an average of $15,037 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at UND accumulate an average of around $24,522 in student debt.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of North Dakota
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Arecibo.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo are $5,443 a 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.
Rest of the Top Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools
Remaining Award Winners
This list represents the remainder 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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