[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 402 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
Finding the Best Value General Education School for You
The general education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value General Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,882. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Bakersfield earned it the #4 place for general education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #6 among the best values for general education. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Middlesex County College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $16,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #8 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $77,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $58,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,117. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $58,249 early in their careers. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia State Community College earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College placed #19 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
California State University Long Beach placed #21 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,087. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
California State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $77,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $57,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #25 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,474 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 402 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 402 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).
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
