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2023 Best Value Education Schools

435 Ranked Colleges
29,810 Degrees Awarded
$21,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Education Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Education is the 41st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools” ranking, we looked at 435 colleges that offer a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Education Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 262 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN excels when it comes to education quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend SMU MN is $21,101 for Education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at SMU MN

2
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 10% in overall quality
$55,437 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walden University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools. Walden University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 1,234 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Walden University excels when it comes to education quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Education Schools” list.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Walden University

3
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend La Salle University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 128 students in 2020-2021.

La Salle also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for La Salle is $25,819 for Education students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full La Salle University General Education Report

4
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Martin Luther College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools. This small school is located in New Ulm, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Martin Luther College is $22,205 for Education students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full MLC General Education Report

5
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Azusa Pacific University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 259 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our education students list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. It costs about $30,744 for education students per year to attend Azusa Pacific.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Azusa Pacific General Education Report

6
Whitworth crest
Whitworth University
Spokane, Washington

Whitworth University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools list. This small school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 22 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Whitworth also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Whitworth University is $24,492 for Education students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Whitworth University General Education Report

7
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #7. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 32 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University General Education Report

8

Southwest Baptist University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $17,291 for Education students per year to attend Southwest Baptist University.

Full Southwest Baptist University General Education Report

9
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 707 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,585 for education students per year to attend Grand Canyon University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Grand Canyon University

10
PLNU crest
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. PLNU is located in San Diego, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

PLNU also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Point Loma Nazarene University is $34,575 for Education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Point Loma Nazarene University

11
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, Delaware

Wilmington University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. New Castle, Delaware is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,186 for education students per year to attend Wilmington University.

Read full report on General Education at Wilmington University

12

With a ranking of #12, Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Marshall, Minnesota. It awarded 110 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $13,872 for education students.

Read more about General Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

13
Morningside crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 140 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Morningside is $22,350 for education students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Morningside

14
Calvin crest
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Calvin University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. Calvin is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $26,082 for education students per year to attend Calvin.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Calvin

15

Grand Valley State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 239 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at GVSU

16
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #16. Messiah is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $26,864 for Education students per year to attend Messiah.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Messiah General Education Report

17
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 28 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $28,178 for Education students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bethel University Minnesota General Education Report

18

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,159 for education students per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato General Education Report

19
20
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #20. Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MSU is $12,205 for Education students.

Read more about General Education at MSU

20
Northcentral University crest
Northcentral University
San Diego, California
Top 15% in overall quality
$56,007 Average Early-Career Earnings

Northcentral University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #20. Northcentral University is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 706 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Northcentral University is also in the top of our “Best General Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Northcentral University

22
Goucher crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, Maryland

Goucher College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 126 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Goucher also did well on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Goucher is $25,366 for education students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Goucher General Education Report

23
Montclair State crest
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #23. Montclair State University is a public institution located in Montclair, New Jersey. The school has a large population, and it awarded 182 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Montclair State is in the top on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $17,381 for Education students per year to attend Montclair State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Montclair State General Education Report

24
Worcester State crest
Worcester State University
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Worcester State University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Worcester State is $16,886 for education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Worcester State University General Education Report

25
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

University of Delaware landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Newark, Delaware is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UD is in the top on our “Best General Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $18,967 for Education students per year to attend UD.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UD General Education Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Education Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
27
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
28
29
30
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
31
32
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
33
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, Washington
34
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas
35
Saint Michael's crest
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, Vermont
36
37
38
39
Brandman crest
Brandman University
Irvine, California
40
Frostburg State crest
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, Maryland
41
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska
42
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri
43
44
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
45
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana
46
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana
47
48
GFU crest
George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon
49
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
50
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Education Schools

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Purdue University NorthwestHammond, IN
52University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
53Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS
54Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA
55Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
56Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK
57National UniversityLa Jolla, CA
58The University of FindlayFindlay, OH
59Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD
60University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS
61Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR
62Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC
63California State University - San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA
64California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
65Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL
RankCollegeLocation
66Westminster College PennsylvaniaNew Wilmington, PA

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