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2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

450 Ranked Colleges
129,869 Degrees Awarded
$3,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

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 General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 129,869 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, general studies is the 5th most popular major in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 450 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $0-$30k)

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It costs about $2,500 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UChicago.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Studies at University of Chicago

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 65 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $2,670 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about General Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3

Out of the 450 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Central New Mexico Community College is a fairly large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 2,341 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

CNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $1,994 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at CNM

4
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland Community College is a fairly large school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan that handed out 309 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Oakland Community College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $1,464 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Oakland Community College General Studies Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 151 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $2,045 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Harold Washington College

6

Brigham Young University - Idaho ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,581 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, BYU - I is in the top on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $2,073 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend BYU - I.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Brigham Young University - Idaho General Studies Report

7

Suffolk County Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Selden, New York, this large public school handed out 1,405 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Suffolk County Community College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Suffolk County Community College is $2,585 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Suffolk County Community College

8
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #8, American Public University System did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. American Public University System is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,815 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, American Military University has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $9,660 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Full American Public University System General Studies Report

9
Central Texas College crest
Central Texas College
Killeen, Texas

Central Texas College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Central Texas College is a medium-sized public school situated in Killeen, Texas. It awarded 826 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Texas College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $4,491 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Texas College.

Read more about General Studies at Central Texas College

10
South Texas College crest
South Texas College
McAllen, Texas

South Texas College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Texas College is a large school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 969 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for South Texas College is $1,200 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full South Texas College General Studies Report

11

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MVCC is a fairly large public school situated in Palos Hills, Illinois. It awarded 430 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $-210 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MVCC. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Read more about General Studies at MVCC

12
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waubonsee is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Waubonsee excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $2,249 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Waubonsee Community College

13
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, College of Lake County is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $3,802 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at College of Lake County

14
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pima County Community College District is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Pima County Community College District excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Pima Community College is $2,831 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Pima County Community College District General Studies Report

15
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #15, Northwest Vista College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 2,322 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Northwest Vista College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Vista College is $5,313 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Northwest Vista College

16

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 175 students in 2020-2021.

Wilbur Wright College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $1,736 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College General Studies Report

17

Collin County Community College District came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,244 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Collin County Community College District is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $5,252 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Collin County Community College District.

Read more about General Studies at Collin County Community College District

18
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, Texas

El Centro College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. El Centro College is a large school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 7,386 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

El Centro College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $3,791 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full El Centro College General Studies Report

19

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,351 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Northern Virginia Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northern Virginia Community College General Studies Report

20
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

With a ranking of #20, Washtenaw Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 1,371 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $1,892 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Washtenaw Community College General Studies Report

21

Austin Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 1,654 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,264 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Read full report on General Studies at Austin Community College District

22

Utah Valley University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Orem, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 4,249 students in 2020-2021.

UVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Utah Valley University is $7,707 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on General Studies at UVU

23
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 183 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Marshall University excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Marshall University is $5,377 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Marshall University

24
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. LLCC is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 47 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, LLCC is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Land Community College is $3,925 for General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Lincoln Land Community College

24
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. San Antonio College is a fairly large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 2,530 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, San Antonio College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $5,889 for general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at San Antonio College

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

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

26
27
28
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan
29
30
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
30
32
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
33
34
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
35
36
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois
37
38
OCCC crest
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
39
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan
40
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois
41
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah
42
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois
43
Middlesex Community College crest
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, Massachusetts
44
45
46
46
SUNY Ulster crest
SUNY Ulster
Stone Ridge, New York
48
49
50
Erie Community College crest
Erie Community College
Buffalo, New York

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

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

RankCollegeLocation
51College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL
52Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJ
53University of North TexasDenton, TX
54College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV
55City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley CollegeChicago, IL
56Oklahoma State University - Main CampusStillwater, OK
57Monroe Community CollegeRochester, NY
58South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL
59City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X CollegeChicago, IL
60City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman CollegeChicago, IL
61NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR
62Central Arizona CollegeCoolidge, AZ
63John C Calhoun State Community CollegeTanner, AL
64Carl Sandburg CollegeGalesburg, IL
65Northeast Alabama Community CollegeRainsville, AL
RankCollegeLocation
66El Paso Community CollegeEl Paso, TX
67Genesee Community CollegeBatavia, NY
68Chemeketa Community CollegeSalem, OR

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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