2026 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1069 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for general studies in the United States. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. 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. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,557 in student loans. General Studies graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $32,909 early in their careers. Set against $18,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $22,301 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $43,186 early in their careers. Set against $22,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Northern New Mexico College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $38,899 early in their careers. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,860. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
American Public University System landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $62,059. That is a strong return on a $6,265 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $10,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,458. 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 Channel Islands landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. That is a strong return on a $28,948 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,833. General Studies graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $27,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $32,463. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,304. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,248. General Studies graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. General Studies graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $61,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,361 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $39,864. That is a strong return on a $21,361 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #22 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas Womans University landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,625 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $41,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,000. General Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1069 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 130 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.
