2026 Best Value General Education Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 903 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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Finding the Best Value General Education School for You
Where you study general education affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general education. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,525. General Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general education. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $69,882 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,149. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,813. Early-career general education graduates make about $71,800. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Carroll Community College placed #14 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,398. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #15 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #16 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. General Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Colorado Mountain College earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College placed #20 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roane State Community College earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University placed #22 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,474. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,928. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Snow College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Palomar College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 903 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 219 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
