2027 Best Value General Education Master’s Degree Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 222 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. 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. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,430. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,882. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. 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. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for general education. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for general education. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, 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 $56,649. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,886. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,117. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,277. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #11 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. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,016. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,823. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $70,724. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Utah University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $71,314 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $61,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $44,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,997 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $61,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,238. General Education graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $59,959. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Purdue University Northwest placed #22 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. General Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,020. Early-career general education graduates make about $65,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stanford University came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $71,967 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Marshall University placed #25 among the best values for general education. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $49,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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
Explore the best-value general education schools at other 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 · 222 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 222 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.
