by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Canada College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in California. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $106,691. 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 #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Golden West College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hartnell College one of the best values for general studies. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $21,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career general studies graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mission College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Los Angeles City College earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,148. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #12 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. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Berkeley City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Berkeley City College is a large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Median earnings reach $41,217 ten years out.
Coastline Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Fountain Valley, Coastline Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,612. Median earnings reach $44,483 ten years out.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $60,890. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
San Diego State University earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,496 in student loans. General Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Life Pacific College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $39,411. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Redlands came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of La Verne ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,500. General Studies graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $25,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Simpson University earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redding. Students from in state pay about $39,708 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Simpson University earn a median of $59,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Simpson University admits about 86% of applicants.
Concordia University Irvine placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $58,590. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
National University placed #23 among the best values for general studies. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,717. General Studies graduates of National University earn a median of $49,487 early in their careers. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Students borrow a median of $22,552 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $36,875. That is a strong return on a $22,552 median debt.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,020. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $18,621. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.