2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Washington

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Tacoma Campus the best value for a degree in general studies in Washington. 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, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,323. General Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $61,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #2 place for general studies. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,437. Set against $16,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Edmonds Community College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,810, compared with $10,875 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $21,520. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Seattle Pacific University one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $52,713. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Seattle Pacific University admits about 83% of applicants.
City University Of Seattle is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,929. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of City University Of Seattle earn a median of $76,698 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More General Studies Rankings
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.