2026 Best Value General Education Master’s Degree Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 903 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2026 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
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,430. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus placed #6 among the best values for general education. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $71,800 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $56,649. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. 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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. 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. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #10 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. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. 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 $76,750 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for general education. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,527. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,823. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $71,967. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,226. 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,101. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,100. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University placed #20 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $71,314. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $76,750. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,750. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $61,708. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming came in at #25 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $67,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 903 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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.
