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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $30-$48k)

448 Ranked Colleges
129,869 Degrees Awarded
$4,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 129,869 general studies students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 448 colleges that offered a degree in general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $30-$48k)

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 448 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It costs about $4,777 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Chicago General Studies Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,341 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CNM also made our “Best General Studies Schools” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend CNM is $3,059 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at CNM

3

Out of the 448 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 151 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College also claimed a top spot 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 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $3,200 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Harold Washington College

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 65 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $5,670 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor General Studies Report

5
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Out of the 448 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 309 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Oakland Community College also did well on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $2,762 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Oakland Community College

6
South Texas College crest
South Texas College
McAllen, Texas

South Texas College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. McAllen, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 969 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $1,783 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at South Texas College

7

Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,581 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU - I is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $3,357 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Studies at BYU - I

8

Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Selden, New York, and it awarded 1,405 ’s general studies degrees 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 $4,212 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Suffolk County Community College General Studies Report

9
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County 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 College of Lake County is $4,248 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full College of Lake County General Studies Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Moraine Valley Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 430 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $896 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Moraine Valley Community College

11
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Waubonsee Community College 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.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Waubonsee also did well on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee Community College is $3,782 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Waubonsee Community College

12
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 1,815 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend American Public University System is $10,885 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Studies at American Military University

13
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 53 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Pima County Community College District 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 estimated yearly cost for Pima County Community College District is $3,852 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Pima Community College

14
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, Texas

Northwest Vista College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 2,322 diplomas 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 $6,463 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Northwest Vista College

15
Central Texas College crest
Central Texas College
Killeen, Texas

With a ranking of #15, Central Texas College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central Texas College is located in Killeen, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 826 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Central Texas 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. It costs about $5,841 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Texas College.

Read more about General Studies at Central Texas College

16

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Wilbur Wright 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. It costs about $2,801 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

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

17
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, Texas

With a ranking of #17, El Centro College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Dallas, Texas, this large public school handed out 7,386 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

El Centro College also claimed a top spot 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 estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $4,619 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at El Centro College

18

Wallace Community College, Dothan came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wallace, Dothan is a small school located in Dothan, Alabama that handed out 305 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wallace Community College, Dothan is $1,769 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Wallace Community College, Dothan

19
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Washtenaw Community College is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,371 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $3,376 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Washtenaw Community College General Studies Report

20

With a ranking of #20, Collin County Community College District did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in McKinney, Texas, this large public school handed out 1,244 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Collin County Community College District excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $6,607 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Collin County Community College District

21
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 134 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $5,045 for General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

22

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 12 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,399 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW Seattle.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 93%.

Read full report on General Studies at UW Seattle

23

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Annandale, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,351 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northern Virginia Community College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,407 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Virginia Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College

24

Austin Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 1,654 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,907 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Full Austin Community College District General Studies Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cincinnati State is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $4,880 for general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Cincinnati State

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

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

26
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois
27
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan
28
29
30
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
31
Middlesex Community College crest
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, Massachusetts
32
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, Texas
33
OCCC crest
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
34
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan
35
36
37
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois
38
39
40
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois
41
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah
42
43
43
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois
45
46
47
48
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
49
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois
50
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

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

RankCollegeLocation
51College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL
52College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV
53University of North TexasDenton, TX
54Northeast Alabama Community CollegeRainsville, AL
55El Paso Community CollegeEl Paso, TX
56Central Arizona CollegeCoolidge, AZ
57Niagara County Community CollegeSanborn, NY
58Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen, AR
59Chemeketa Community CollegeSalem, OR
60NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR
61South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL
62Monroe County Community CollegeMonroe, MI
63Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo, MI
64SUNY UlsterStone Ridge, NY
65Erie Community CollegeBuffalo, NY
RankCollegeLocation
66John C Calhoun State Community CollegeTanner, AL
67Richland Community CollegeDecatur, IL
68New Mexico State University - Dona AnaLas Cruces, NM

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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