by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general education, no school beat Dabney S Lancaster Community College this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,262. General Education graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Southwest Virginia Community College one of the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. General Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Virginia Community College one of the best values for general education. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at The University Of Virginias College At Wise, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,714. General Education graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Radford University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,514 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,802. That is a strong return on a $25,514 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,529. Early-career general education graduates make about $89,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $53,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,665. That is a strong return on a $22,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $72,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,195. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. General Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $42,160. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,144. Set against $42,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Shenandoah University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $65,767. Set against $26,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
