by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 58 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Middlesex County College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the United States. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $16,846. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. 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.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roane State Community College earned it the #4 place for general education. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Hagerstown Community College, which ranked #5. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,126. General Education graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $46,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College placed #6 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,951. General Education graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Grants placed #8 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,048 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Grants generally make around $34,802. Set against $9,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,224. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,150. General Education graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,836. General Education graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. General Education graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College placed #18 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,874 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #20 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $12,280. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #24 among the best values for general education. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #25 for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $5,500. General Education graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
Explore the best-value general education schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.