[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 620 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in the United States. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,791. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. 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 Mainland came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,368. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,987. General Studies graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $7,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,944. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $30,179. That is a strong return on a $10,944 median debt.
Pima Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $22,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #16 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #18 among the best values for general studies. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $22,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $26,004. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,900. Early-career general studies graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $5,900 median debt.
Oakton Community College landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638.
Midland College earned the #24 position for value in general studies 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. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,147. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,529. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
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 · 620 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 620 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
