2027 Best Value General Schools
[General](/majors/engineering/electrical-and-computer-engineering/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 30 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.
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Finding the Best Value General School for You
The right general school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value General Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
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2027 Best Value General Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. General graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. General graduates carry a median of $16,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $63,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the best values for general. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,481. Early-career general graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #5. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #6 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for value in general this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,645. General graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wichita State University earned the #8 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. General graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Michigan Technological University earned the #10 position for value in general this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. General graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #11 for value in general this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #12 for value in general this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for general graduates is $12,184. Early-career general graduates make about $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,004. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for general graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny At Albany came in at #15 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #16 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,275. General graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego placed #17 among the best values for general. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,163. Early-career general graduates make about $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. General graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #19 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,162. General graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Washington University landed the #20 spot for general value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. General graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,691. Early-career general graduates make about $51,766. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University came in at #23 for value in general this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,025. Early-career general graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
National University placed #25 among the best values for general. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $69,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
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General is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
