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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in West Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
$21,715 Avg Student Debt
$46,419 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Education Badge [General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.

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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in West Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Education Schools

1

For return on investment in general education, no school beat Fairmont State University this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

2
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,250. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,939. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,050. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,670. Set against $11,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,438. General Education graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $62,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

5
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shepherd University earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. General Education graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $40,748 early in their careers. Set against $23,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.

6

Concord University placed #6 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,214. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $47,257. That is a strong return on a $20,214 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

7

Glenville State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $11,354. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Glenville State College generally make around $32,699. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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