2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2221 colleges 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 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 Sciences Humanities Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Regis University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Set in Denver, CO, Regis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Regis University alumni report median earnings of $72,105 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. Regis University has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read the full report on Regis University
A rank of #2 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $25,993. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $25,993 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
A rank of #3 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the best values in the United States. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $27,000. Median earnings reach $63,126 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #4 spot. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $28,713 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Median earnings reach $62,454 ten years out. Set against $28,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Texas Tech University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. University Of Memphis Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $38,972 in debt. Median earnings reach $48,458 ten years out. Set against $38,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Memphis report
St Johns College Maryland placed #6 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set 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. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $27,000. St Johns College Maryland alumni report median earnings of $51,584 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns College Maryland admits about 55% of applicants. Read the full report on St Johns College Maryland
Indiana University Southeast ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Indiana University Southeast is a public school based in New Albany, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,596 ten years after entry. Set against $28,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Indiana University Southeast profile
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $22,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,945 ten years after entry. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%. More on University Of Kansas
University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $25,269. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,269 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Iowa
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $25,898. Median earnings reach $48,160 ten years out. Set against $25,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Southern Methodist University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Southern Methodist University alumni report median earnings of $78,354 a decade after entry. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University has an acceptance rate of 63%. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
Northwestern University placed #11 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $19,312. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Northwestern University
California State University Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. California State University Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,171 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. California State University Los Angeles alumni report median earnings of $59,211 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,171 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Get the full California State University Los Angeles report
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #13 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. California State University Dominguez Hills alumni report median earnings of $57,162 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills has an acceptance rate of 93%. Read the full report on California State University Dominguez Hills
University Of Miami landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $28,590. Median earnings reach $75,328 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Set in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $30,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,906. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants. More on Portland State University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $28,467 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus has an acceptance rate of 58%. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Connecticut placed #18 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. University Of Connecticut Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,997. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants. Read more about University Of Connecticut
University Of Denver landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Set 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. University Of Denver Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $22,534 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,155. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants. More on University Of Denver
Butler University placed #20 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. See the full Butler University profile
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about College Of The Holy Cross
Edison State College placed #22 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. More on Edison State College
Herzing University Minneapolis placed #23 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. See the full Herzing University Minneapolis profile
Idaho State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. See the full Idaho State University profile
Lansing Community College placed #25 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Get the full Lansing Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. See the full Loyola University New Orleans profile
Ohio University Southern Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full Ohio University Southern Campus profile
Oklahoma City Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Oklahoma City Community College report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #29 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Salisbury University placed #30 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. More on Salisbury University
South Louisiana Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. See the full South Louisiana Community College profile
Southern Maine Community College landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Southern Maine Community College profile
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southwestern Michigan College profile
Towson University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about Towson University
University Of California Merced landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of California Merced profile
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
Warner University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on Warner University
Arkansas Baptist College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Arkansas Baptist College report
Athens State University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full Athens State University profile
Belhaven University landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Belhaven University
Boise State University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. More on Boise State University
Clover Park Technical College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about Clover Park Technical College
Colorado Mountain College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Colorado Mountain College
Emporia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Emporia State University
Harper College
Harper College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. More on Harper College
Iowa Western Community College placed #46 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Read more about Iowa Western Community College
Missouri Baptist University landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Missouri Baptist University report
Northern Arizona University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus
Somerset Community College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Somerset Community College 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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