2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Minnesota
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Minnesota
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 Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, our #1 best value for general education in Minnesota. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $59,959. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Bemidji State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Winona State University earned it the #4 place for general education. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,551. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $52,019. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #5 makes Southwest Minnesota State University one of the best values for general education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,016. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $55,867. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Capella University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $74,309. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Luther College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $31,016. Set against $20,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,260. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,118. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hamline University landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $52,452. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,396. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,639. General Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $57,694 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $49,361. General Education graduates of Walden University earn a median of $70,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
