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? Our ranking highlights 2221 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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, Grad Degree 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 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. Based in Denver, CO, Regis University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,140. Regis University Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities students take on a median of $31,773 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,105 ten years after entry. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $25,993. Median earnings reach $68,758 ten years out. Set against $25,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities ranking in the United States. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,126. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
You'll get strong value at Texas Tech University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $28,713. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,454 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
You'll get strong value at University Of Memphis, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $38,972. Median earnings reach $48,458 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants. More on University Of Memphis
St Johns College Maryland offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Annapolis, MD, St Johns College Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,684. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, 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. Get the full St Johns College Maryland report
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $28,948. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,596. That is a strong return on a $28,948 median debt. Indiana University Southeast has an acceptance rate of 84%. More on Indiana University Southeast
University Of Kansas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $22,500. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas has an acceptance rate of 94%. See the full University Of Kansas profile
University Of Iowa came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. 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. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Iowa
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $25,898. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro alumni report median earnings of $48,160 a decade after entry. Set against $25,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. 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. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. The median Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program debt is $20,712. A decade after starting, 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
Northwestern University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Median earnings reach $89,363 ten years out. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 8% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Northwestern University profile
California State University Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities student debt is $15,171. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read more about California State University Los Angeles
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills has an acceptance rate of 93%. Read the full report on California State University Dominguez Hills
University Of Miami placed #15 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,590 to complete their Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,328. That is a strong return on a $28,590 median debt. University Of Miami has an acceptance rate of 19%. See the full University Of Miami profile
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. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Portland State University alumni report median earnings of $57,906 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. More on Portland State University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,467 in student loans. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus alumni report median earnings of $66,125 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
University Of Connecticut placed #18 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $73,997 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. University Of Connecticut has an acceptance rate of 52%. Read more about University Of Connecticut
University Of Denver placed #19 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about University Of Denver
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about Arizona State University
California State University San Marcos ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. See the full California State University San Marcos profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. See the full City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College profile
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read more about Elmhurst College
Fayetteville State University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Fayetteville State University
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read more about Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Iowa State University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Iowa State University report
Ithaca College
Ithaca College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Ithaca College profile
Kentucky Wesleyan College placed #28 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. More on Kentucky Wesleyan College
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Metropolitan Community College Kansas City report
Monterey Peninsula College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Monterey Peninsula College
Northwest Christian University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Northwest Christian University
Oakland Community College landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Oakland Community College
Ozarks Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Ozarks Technical Community College report
Palo Alto College placed #34 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. More on Palo Alto College
Park University
Park University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Park University
Saint Vincent College placed #36 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. See the full Saint Vincent College profile
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. See the full San Joaquin Delta College profile
University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Anchorage
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Bradford profile
West Virginia State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about West Virginia State University
Wharton County Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about Wharton County Junior College
Black Hills State University placed #42 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Read more about Black Hills State University
Chowan University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Chowan University profile
Columbia College Chicago landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Columbia College Chicago report
Danville Area Community College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Danville Area Community College
Free Will Baptist Bible College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Free Will Baptist Bible College
George Washington University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools. Get the full George Washington University report
Herzing University Winter Park placed #48 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. Get the full Herzing University Winter Park report
John C Calhoun State Community College placed #49 among the best-value Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities schools in the United States. See the full John C Calhoun State Community College profile
Northern Essex Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Northern Essex Community College
Related Liberal Arts Sciences Humanities Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (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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