[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 800 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
Finding the Best Value General Studies School for You
Where you study general studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General Studies 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in general studies in the United States. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for general studies. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Middlesex Community College Bedford one of the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. General Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Mainland ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $27,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Hartnell College landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $21,176. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $30,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,022. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,164. Set against $11,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,800. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,700. Set against $6,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Rock Valley College landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $7,035 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Set against $7,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Midland College landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $24,147. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Canada College came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,000. General Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,942. General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $10,734 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $29,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $22,915. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 800 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 800 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).
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
