2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid
425
Ranked Colleges
29,810
Degrees Awarded
$10,100
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
General Education is the 31st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
For this year’s “Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 425 colleges that offer a degree in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank General Education Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (With Aid)
Out of the 425 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 150 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our general education students with aid list, UW Seattle has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $12,017 for General Education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UW Seattle General Education Report
Out of the 425 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 129 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for general education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Cal State LA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 591 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Harvard also made our “Best General Education Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $13,872 for general education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about General Education at Harvard
Out of the 425 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Fresno State is also in the top of our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for General Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Fresno
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school handed out 258 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,377 for General Education students with aid per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Education at Purdue
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 233 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our general education students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $14,321 for general education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Florida landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UF also did well on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It costs about $5,135 for general education students with aid per year to attend UF.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at UF
With a ranking of #8, Stanford University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 68 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $12,894 for General Education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on General Education at Stanford
California State University - Bakersfield ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 136 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,454 for General Education students with aid per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Read full report on General Education at CSUB
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 46 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,107 for General Education students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - San Bernardino General Education Report
California State University - Fullerton landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 255 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for general education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Cal State Fullerton General Education Report
California State University - Sacramento landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 145 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Sac State is also in the top of our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for general education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Sac State General Education Report
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $4,026 for general education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full CSUDH General Education Report
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 22 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNC Chapel Hill is also in the top of our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for General Education students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill General Education Report
Berea College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Berea College is located in Berea, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Berea is $5,222 for General Education students with aid.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Education at Berea College
With a ranking of #16, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 222 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for General Education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at UCLA
University of Central Florida landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
UCF also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $8,618 for general education students with aid per year to attend UCF.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCF General Education Report
University of California - San Diego ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 127 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our general education students with aid list, UCSD has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for General Education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UCSD
University of California - Irvine came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 368 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for General Education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at UC Irvine
Florida Atlantic University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $10,735 for general education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full FAU General Education Report
Texas Woman’s University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 129 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,684 for general education students with aid per year to attend TWU.
Read full report on General Education at Texas Woman’s University
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 105 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for General Education students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Stanislaus General Education Report
With a ranking of #23, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Fort Myers, Florida, and it awarded 49 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
FGCU excels when it comes to general education quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for FGCU is $11,299 for General Education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at FGCU
California State University - Long Beach came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 91 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for general education students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Long Beach General Education Report
With a ranking of #25, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 21 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State also made our “Best General Education Schools” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $16,411 for general education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full North Carolina State University General Education Report
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