2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 87 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for general studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Chesapeake College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Butler County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $6,932 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $28,138 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 Ulster County Community College, which ranked #4. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $24,015. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $25,252. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,797 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $29,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,426 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $28,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fulton Montgomery Community College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,798. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Fulton Montgomery Community College earn a median of $21,482 early in their careers. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris placed #11 among the best values for general studies. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Columbia Greene Community College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,499 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $56,960. Set against $13,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,488 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $24,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,017. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
Farmingdale State College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $22,443. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Corning Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Corning Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Corning. Students from in state pay about $6,534 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Corning Community College earn a median of $26,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Sussex County Community College placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Students borrow a median of $10,064 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $22,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Washington University landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,323 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $50,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Washington University admits about 100% of applicants.
Onondaga Community College came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,950. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
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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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
