2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2221 institutions 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Sciences Humanities Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is Montana State University, our #1 best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities school in the United States. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $19,268 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,263 ten years after entry. Set against $19,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Montana State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Methodist University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,354 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. About 63% of those who apply are admitted. More on Southern Methodist University
A rank of #3 makes Georgetown University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Georgetown University alumni report median earnings of $103,494 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University has an acceptance rate of 13%. Get the full Georgetown University report
A rank of #4 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. Based in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Graduates carry a median of $17,577 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,067. That is a strong return on a $17,577 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on New Mexico State University Main Campus
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $17,625 in debt. Ohio State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $60,409 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
George Mason University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. George Mason University Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,343. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on George Mason University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $13,426. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
University Of Louisville landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. University Of Louisville Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $27,001 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Louisville
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Located in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Tulane University Of Louisiana Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $22,077 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,268. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%. Get the full Tulane University Of Louisiana report
California State University San Bernardino came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on California State University San Bernardino
Carolinas College Of Health Sciences ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full Carolinas College Of Health Sciences report
Catholic Distance University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read the full report on Catholic Distance University
Cecil College
Cecil College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Get the full Cecil College report
Cleveland State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Get the full Cleveland State University report
College Of The Canyons offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full College Of The Canyons report
Dawson Community College landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Dawson Community College
Dodge City Community College placed #17 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Read more about Dodge City Community College
Eastern Shore Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full Eastern Shore Community College report
Folsom Lake College placed #19 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Read the full report on Folsom Lake College
Holy Family University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read the full report on Holy Family University
Madera Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. More on Madera Community College
Mid Michigan Community College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Mid Michigan Community College
Peninsula College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Read the full report on Peninsula College
Waldorf College
Waldorf College placed #24 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. More on Waldorf College
Wor Wic Community College placed #25 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Read more about Wor Wic Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. More on Wright State University Main Campus
Youngstown State University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read the full report on Youngstown State University
Blackfeet Community College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full Blackfeet Community College profile
Columbia Gorge Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about Columbia Gorge Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Fayetteville Technical Community College
Gadsden State Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read the full report on Gadsden State Community College
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full Gwinnett Technical College report
Howard University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Howard University
Mcdowell Technical Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. See the full Mcdowell Technical Community College profile
Montana State University Billings ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read the full report on Montana State University Billings
Owens Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Owens Community College
Park University
Park University placed #37 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Read the full report on Park University
Ranger College
Ranger College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read the full report on Ranger College
Rockland Community College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Rockland Community College
San Diego Miramar College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on San Diego Miramar College
Shasta College
Shasta College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. More on Shasta College
Triton College
Triton College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full Triton College report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Cayuga County Community College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cayuga County Community College report
Central Baptist College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Central Baptist College report
Clover Park Technical College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full Clover Park Technical College report
Concordia University Irvine landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg report
Related Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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