by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for general education in Colorado. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 Colorado Denver came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $27,936 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,479. That is a strong return on a $27,936 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado State University Pueblo earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,325. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,078. That is a strong return on a $25,325 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $52,796. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #5 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $49,122 early in their careers. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western State College Of Colorado ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $51,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans. General Education graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #8 among the best values for general education. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $46,262. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #9 among the best values for general education. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,373. General Education graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.