2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Far Western Region
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
For return on investment in general education, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $69,882. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for general education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $71,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,598. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,006. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for general education. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Palomar College earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
California State University Sacramento ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,492. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,753. That is a strong return on a $16,997 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $77,823. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $60,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $62,750. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $70,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $60,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $85,162. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Students borrow a median of $24,333 to complete the general education program here. 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 California Irvine ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,575 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #23 among the best values for general education. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $65,425. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,288. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Klamath Community College placed #25 among the best values for general education. Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Klamath Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $4,965, with out-of-state students paying around $8,025. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Klamath Community College generally make around $24,370. That is a strong return on a $14,644 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education value ranking:
Narrow General Education Schools by State
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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
[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.
