2027 Best Value General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 245 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus the best value for a degree in general studies in the United States. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,301 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,186. That is a strong return on a $22,301 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,557 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,909. That is a strong return on a $18,557 median debt.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,458 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,458 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,453 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #5. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,000. General Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,879. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,463. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for general studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $6,265 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $62,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,852. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,583. Set against $29,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $34,855. That is a strong return on a $34,500 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,000. General Studies graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $44,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,731 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Marshall University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,248 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. Set against $29,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Weber State University landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,361 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $39,864 early in their careers. Set against $21,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $24,967 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $37,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Murray State University landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $34,304. That is a strong return on a $28,162 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,771. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #21 spot for general studies value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,323. Early-career general studies graduates make about $63,381. That is a strong return on a $16,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Southern Utah University came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,001 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $35,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,419. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Students borrow a median of $22,170 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $36,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,883. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
Other General Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 245 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 245 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.
