The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
While cost may not be the deciding factor when choosing a liberal arts school, it remains an important consideration that can significantly affect your future finances. Here we rank the most affordable schools currently on the market with the help of our impartial methodology. Find the school that is right for you.
Net cost: The median annual cost of all students that receive any aid. This does not refer to the “sticker price”, the price listed by the college.
Earnings: The median earnings of all bachelor-level students 10 years after enrollment. This includes both students that do and do not graduate, across all majors.
Payback: The amount of time in years it takes to pay off the median net cost by the median earnings. For this calculation, the median earning of high school graduates (in the school’s home state) are deducted from the median earnings.
Earningsplus: The difference between the school’s median earnings and the median earnings for all schools in the same state.
Rankings: The ranking order is based on the economic score. The economic score is calculated using a school’s payback and earningsplus performance.
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.7 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$37,154
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $5,986
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:33%
Graduation rate:64%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#2 in Most Affordable Schools|#29 in Liberal Arts
New College of Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Economic score:2.08
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$43,994
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $727
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:70%
Graduation rate:60%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#3 in Most Affordable Schools|#81 in Liberal Arts
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise, Virginia
Economic score:3.06
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$41,055
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $1,929
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:83%
Graduation rate:53%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#4 in Most Affordable Schools|#46 in Liberal Arts
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, Connecticut
Economic score:2.44
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$54,604
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $14,956
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:N/A
Graduation rate:58%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#5 in Most Affordable Schools|#36 in Liberal Arts
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Economic score:2.19
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.1 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$45,723
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $1,351
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:98%
Graduation rate:50%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#6 in Most Affordable Schools|#120 in Liberal Arts
Wesleyan College
Macon, Georgia
Economic score:4.17
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$38,065
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $3,828
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:60%
Graduation rate:58%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#7 in Most Affordable Schools|#68 in Liberal Arts
University of Minnesota-Morris
Morris, Minnesota
Economic score:2.82
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.4 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$47,373
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $7,903
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:65%
Graduation rate:65%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#8 in Most Affordable Schools|#27 in Liberal Arts
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin
Economic score:2.05
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$50,499
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $1,576
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:59%
Graduation rate:80%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#9 in Most Affordable Schools|#59 in Liberal Arts
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Economic score:2.63
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$42,027
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $44
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:62%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#10 in Most Affordable Schools|#23 in Liberal Arts
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Economic score:1.87
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$61,997
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $2,460
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:86%
Graduation rate:62%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#11 in Most Affordable Schools|#87 in Liberal Arts
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, California
Economic score:3.19
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$48,193
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $2,486
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:52%
Graduation rate:91%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#12 in Most Affordable Schools|#103 in Liberal Arts
Lyon College
Batesville, Arkansas
Economic score:3.72
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$43,343
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $660
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:51%
Graduation rate:51%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#13 in Most Affordable Schools|#95 in Liberal Arts
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, Florida
Economic score:3.36
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.4 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$45,789
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $1,068
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:92%
Graduation rate:57%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#14 in Most Affordable Schools|#170 in Liberal Arts
Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois
Economic score:6.90
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:5.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$38,571
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $6,266
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:56%
Graduation rate:47%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#15 in Most Affordable Schools|#176 in Liberal Arts
Fort Lewis College
Durango, Colorado
Economic score:7.83
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:6.5 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$38,083
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $7,838
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:92%
Graduation rate:47%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#16 in Most Affordable Schools|#172 in Liberal Arts
Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato, Minnesota
Economic score:6.99
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:5.1 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$40,621
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $14,655
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:65%
Graduation rate:53%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#17 in Most Affordable Schools|#105 in Liberal Arts
Illinois College
Jacksonville, Illinois
Economic score:3.75
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$46,510
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $1,673
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:76%
Graduation rate:69%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#18 in Most Affordable Schools|#37 in Liberal Arts
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Economic score:2.20
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$55,543
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $1,965
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:73%
Graduation rate:78%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#19 in Most Affordable Schools|#18 in Liberal Arts
Albion College
Albion, Michigan
Economic score:1.73
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$54,792
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $10,746
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:75%
Graduation rate:65%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#20 in Most Affordable Schools|#182 in Liberal Arts
Judson College
Marion, Alabama
Economic score:16.63
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:11.3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$29,569
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $13,794
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:57%
Graduation rate:45%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
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