2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 75 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 Far Western Region
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
Golden West College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canada College earned it the #2 place for general studies. 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, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $23,856. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for general studies. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,453 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hartnell College earned it the #5 place for general studies. 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, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Reedley College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $8,368 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,384. General Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
University Of Alaska Southeast ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $10,095 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $63,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $37,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt Hood Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $9,819. Students borrow a median of $11,083 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of $24,658 early in their careers. Set against $11,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,148 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. Set against $9,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lane Community College came in at #16 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,262. Early-career general studies graduates make about $60,759. That is a strong return on a $8,262 median debt.
Clackamas Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,280. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt.
Great Basin College placed #18 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,923, compared with $11,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. General Studies graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tillamook Bay Community College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Tillamook, Tillamook Bay Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,896, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
Chemeketa Community College came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,834 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rogue Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Rogue Community College generally make around $26,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. 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%.
Klamath Community College earned the #24 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Klamath Falls, Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,965 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,025. Students borrow a median of $14,644 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,370. Set against $14,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berkeley City College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, Berkeley City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,217 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
Narrow General Studies Schools by State
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
