2027 Best Value General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 120 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general education in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,784. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University Central Texas one of the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,160. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #6 among the best values for general education. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,081. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,474 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Colorado Mountain College landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,953. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,694. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,729. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best values for general education. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,101. General Education graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Washington University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. General Education graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Fairmont State University landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,760. General Education graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $40,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,312. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Midwestern State University landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,415. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #17 for value in general education this year. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kapolei. Students from in state pay about $7,584 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,333. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $52,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #18 among the best values for general education. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #19 for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $57,410. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Northern Marianas College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Saipan, Northern Marianas College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,038 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,520 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates of Northern Marianas College earn a median of $14,891 early in their careers.
Texas Womans University earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,200 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College came in at #25 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $39,046. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
Other General Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Education rankings across degree levels:
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 120 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.
