by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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 Roane State Community College, our #1 best value for general education in Tennessee. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #3 place for general education. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. General Education graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Chattanooga State Community College one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,079. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,252. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Walters State Community College earned it the #5 place for general education. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $12,280. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College placed #6 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. General Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,530. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,419. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Motlow State Community College placed #9 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,470 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,902. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $50,607. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $72,937. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,652. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tusculum College earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. Students borrow a median of $25,832 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,527. Set against $25,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Milligan College landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,150. General Education graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Union University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,605. General Education graduates of Union University earn a median of $48,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,605 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,364 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.