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Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools

2023 Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

851 Colleges
$4,846 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$24,682 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree School for You

With 556,813 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the #3 most popular major in the United States.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 851 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

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. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for an Associate in Liberal Arts & Humanities

Our 2023 rankings named Haskell Indian Nations University the best value school in the United States for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell is a public college with a small student population.

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Out of the 851 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, New Mexico Junior College landed the # 2 spot on the list. New Mexico Junior College is a small public school located in the remote town of Hobbs.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at New Mexico Junior College are $2,280 per year.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeast Community College Area. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southeast Community College are $3,780 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Southeast Community College also did well on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at American Military University are $7,360 a year.

American Military University also made our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list, coming in at #2.

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Out of the 851 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Highland Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Highland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Highland.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Highland Community College are $3,570 per year.

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#6

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 a year.

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 / sciences and humanities in the United States.

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#7

Leech Lake Tribal College

Cass Lake, MN

With a ranking of #7, Leech Lake Tribal College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Leech Lake Tribal College is a small public school located in the rural area of Cass Lake.

Leech Lake Tribal College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,926 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Leech Lake Tribal College also is in the top 15% of our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools ranking.

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Metropolitan Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Omaha, MCC is a public school with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MCC are $4,680 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, MCC also did well on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#9

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, MN

North Hennepin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park.

North Hennepin Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,882 in tuition and fees each year.

North Hennepin Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at North Hennepin Community College Report

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#10

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, MN

Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,515 a year.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 1% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list.

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#11

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year.

JCCC also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

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Collin County Community College District ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 a year.

Collin County Community College District also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

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Rochester Community and Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community and Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,372 in tuition and fees each year.

Rochester Community and Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

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With a ranking of #14, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school located in the city of Saint Cloud.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 a year.

St Cloud Technical and Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

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NorthWest Arkansas Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the city of Bentonville, NWACC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWACC are $4,456 per year.

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With a ranking of #16, New Mexico State University - Carlsbad did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. NMSU Carlsbad is a small public school located in the rural area of Carlsbad.

NMSU Carlsbad undergraduate students pay an average of $4,008 in tuition and fees each year.

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#17

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Bloomington.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Normandale Community College are $5,789 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Normandale Community College also is in the top 5% of our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools ranking.

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University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. UWM Flexible Option is a small public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UWM Flexible Option are $6,750 a year.

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#19

Cascadia College

Bothell, WA

Cascadia College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Bothell, Cascadia College is a public school with a small student population.

Cascadia College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,768 in tuition and fees each year.

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#19

South Seattle College

Seattle, WA

South Seattle College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Seattle, South Seattle is a public school with a small student population.

South Seattle undergraduate students pay an average of $4,831 in tuition and fees each year.

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Northland Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Thief River Falls.

Northland Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,052 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Northland Community and Technical College also did well on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#22

Garden City Community College

Garden City, KS

Garden City Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Garden City Community College is a small public school located in the town of Garden City.

Garden City Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,020 in tuition and fees each year.

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#23

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

With a ranking of #23, Century College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Century College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Century College are $5,907 a year.

Century College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

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#24

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE

Central Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Grand Island.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Central Community College are $4,590 a year.

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Cloud County Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Cloud County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,570 in tuition and fees each year.

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools

#27

El Centro College

Dallas, TX
#29

Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX
#30

Highline College

Des Moines, WA
#33

Lake Superior College

Duluth, MN
#35

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, TX
#36

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, MN
#38

Coahoma Community College

Clarksdale, MS
#39

Camden County College

Blackwood, NJ
#40

Odessa College

Odessa, TX
#41

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott, KS
#43

Mid-Plains Community College

North Platte, NE
#44

College of the Mainland

Texas City, TX
#45

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, MI
#46

Northwest Indian College

Bellingham, WA
#49

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 851 different United States liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 North Seattle College Seattle, WA
52 Ridgewater College Willmar, MN
53 Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE
54 Midland College Midland, TX
55 East Arkansas Community College Forrest City, AR
56 Arkansas State University - Beebe Beebe, AR
57 Hill College Hillsboro, TX
58 Central Texas College Killeen, TX
59 South Plains College Levelland, TX
60 Northern Maine Community College Presque Isle, ME
61 Crowder College Neosho, MO
62 Houston Community College Houston, TX
63 Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, AR
64 Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KS
65 Pearl River Community College Poplarville, MS
66 State Fair Community College Sedalia, MO
66 Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MN
68 South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC
69 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
70 Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND
71 Louisiana Delta Community College Monroe, LA
72 The University of Texas at Brownsville Brownsville, TX
73 New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM
73 Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KS
75 Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MN
76 Macomb Community College Warren, MI
77 Dakota College at Bottineau Bottineau, ND
78 Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA
79 New Mexico State University - Alamogordo Alamogordo, NM
80 Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA
81 San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX
82 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
82 Neosho County Community College Chanute, KS
84 Baltimore City Community College Baltimore, MD
85 University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Morrilton, AR
86 Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MO
87 Seattle Central College Seattle, WA
88 Lake Region State College Devils Lake, ND
89 Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA
90 South Central College North Mankato, MN
91 Spokane Community College Spokane, WA
92 Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee, WA
92 Independence Community College Independence, KS
94 Colby Community College Colby, KS
95 Umpqua Community College Roseburg, OR
96 Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZ
97 South Texas College McAllen, TX
98 Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA
99 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
100 Delta College University Center, MI
101 Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence, SC
102 Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ
103 Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, WA
104 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
105 Grayson College Denison, TX
106 Glen Oaks Community College Centreville, MI
106 Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
108 Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom Lakewood, WA
109 South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA
110 North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, ND
111 Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IA
112 Navarro College Corsicana, TX
113 Hibbing Community College Hibbing, MN
114 Chesapeake College Wye Mills, MD
115 Shoreline Community College Shoreline, WA
116 University of Akron Wayne College Orrville, OH
117 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
118 Southwestern Oregon Community College Coos Bay, OR
119 Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA
120 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX
121 Yakima Valley College Yakima, WA
122 Itawamba Community College Fulton, MS
122 Stark State College North Canton, OH
124 Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH
125 Moberly Area Community College Moberly, MO
125 Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, AR
127 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX

Honorable Mentions

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 & Humanities Associate Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
128 Alvin Community College Alvin, TX
129 Columbia Basin College Pasco, WA
130 Temple College Temple, TX
131 Craven Community College New Bern, NC
132 Weatherford College Weatherford, TX
133 Southwestern Community College Creston, IA
134 Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
135 North Central Texas College Gainesville, TX
136 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA
137 Laredo College Laredo, TX
138 Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls, IA
138 Butler Community College El Dorado, KS
140 Meridian Community College Meridian, MS
141 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
142 Lower Columbia College Longview, WA
143 College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID
143 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
145 Big Bend Community College Moses Lake, WA
146 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC
147 Brandman University Irvine, CA
147 Coffeyville Community College Coffeyville, KS
149 Rogue Community College Grants Pass, OR
150 Alamance Community College Graham, NC
150 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH
152 York County Community College Wells, ME
153 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
154 Wharton County Junior College Wharton, TX
154 Ranger College Ranger, TX
156 Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR
157 St Charles Community College Cottleville, MO
157 Columbia College Columbia, MO
159 Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WA
159 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
161 Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills, MA
162 Saint Louis Community College Saint Louis, MO
162 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN
162 Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN
165 South Arkansas Community College El Dorado, AR
165 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
167 Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
168 Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ
169 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX
170 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities by Region

View the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

Related Major Annual Graduates
Visual & Performing Arts 149,215
English Language & Literature 54,635
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Theology & Religious Vocations 27,459
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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