2026 Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2221 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Regis University this year in the United States. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,140. Graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Regis University alumni report median earnings of $72,105 a decade after entry. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on Regis University
You'll get strong value at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $25,993 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Set against $25,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #3 spot. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus alumni report median earnings of $63,126 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $28,713. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Memphis landed the #5 spot. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $38,972. Median earnings reach $48,458 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $38,972 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Memphis profile
St Johns College Maryland ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Annapolis, MD, St Johns College Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,684 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,584. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns College Maryland admits about 55% of applicants. Read the full report on St Johns College Maryland
Indiana University Southeast offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in New Albany, IN, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,596. Set against $28,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Indiana University Southeast report
University Of Kansas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $22,500. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Kansas has an acceptance rate of 94%. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of Iowa came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $25,269 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $25,898 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,160. That is a strong return on a $25,898 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants. See the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro profile
Northwestern University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $19,312. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 8%. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Southern Methodist University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Southern Methodist University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $20,712 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,354. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%. See the full Southern Methodist University profile
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,162 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read the full report on California State University Dominguez Hills
California State University Los Angeles came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Graduates carry a median of $15,171 in student loans. Median earnings reach $59,211 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
University Of Miami ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans. University Of Miami alumni report median earnings of $75,328 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami has an acceptance rate of 19%. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Portland State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,906. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full Portland State University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #17 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $28,467 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,125. That is a strong return on a $28,467 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
University Of Connecticut landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,997 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut has an acceptance rate of 52%. More on University Of Connecticut
University Of Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $22,534. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,155 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Capital Community College placed #20 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Capital Community College
Cloud County Community College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Cloud County Community College
Corning Community College placed #22 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. More on Corning Community College
Holy Family University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Holy Family University
Kilgore College
Kilgore College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. More on Kilgore College
Nazareth College
Nazareth College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. More on Nazareth College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on Northwest Mississippi Community College
Phoenix College
Phoenix College placed #27 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Phoenix College
Rockford College
Rockford College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Rockford College
The Baptist College Of Florida ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Get the full The Baptist College Of Florida report
Virginia University Of Lynchburg came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Virginia University Of Lynchburg
Warner University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Warner University
Albany Technical College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Albany Technical College
Alcorn State University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Alcorn State University profile
Arizona Western College placed #34 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Arizona Western College
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Bethel University Minnesota
Kauai Community College placed #36 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. More on Kauai Community College
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #38 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. More on Metropolitan Community College Area
Morris Brown College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Morris Brown College report
North Iowa Area Community College placed #40 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. More on North Iowa Area Community College
Renton Technical College placed #41 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. More on Renton Technical College
Spring Hill College placed #42 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. See the full Spring Hill College profile
Suny College At Brockport landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Suny College At Brockport
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Central Arkansas report
University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. More on University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Washington University In St Louis landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
Washtenaw Community College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. More on Washtenaw Community College
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about West Virginia Wesleyan College
Western Kentucky University placed #49 among the best-value Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Western Kentucky University
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
Related Liberal Arts And General Studies Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts And General Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 2221 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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