2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Michigan
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Macomb Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools in Michigan. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #2. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $39,727. Set against $20,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,734 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,665 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $33,055. That is a strong return on a $14,665 median debt.
West Shore Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,387. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from West Shore Community College generally make around $25,852. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,643. That is a strong return on a $11,511 median debt.
Muskegon Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $27,362 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,721. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe County Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $30,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay Mills Community College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,048 ten years after entry.
Alpena Community College earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Oakland Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,057 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $15,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,668. General Studies graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $29,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gogebic Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Gogebic Community College is a small public school located in the town of Ironwood. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Students borrow a median of $11,422 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,644 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $33,777 early in their careers. Set against $13,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,896 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Lake Michigan College landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,445, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,526. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $26,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirtland Community College came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $25,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glen Oaks Community College landed the #23 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $13,764. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Glen Oaks Community College generally make around $27,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $32,609. Early-career general studies graduates make about $62,536. Set against $32,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $38,865 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,740. Set against $38,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
More General Studies Rankings
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
