2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Our analysis ranked Butler County Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Pennsylvania. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Students borrow a median of $6,932 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $28,138. Set against $6,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,426. General Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $24,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #3 place for general studies. 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. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,797. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $29,277. That is a strong return on a $14,797 median debt.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete the general studies program here. 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.
Lehigh Carbon 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 Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. General Studies graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $19,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Peirce College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,060. General Studies graduates carry a median of $44,247 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Peirce College earn a median of $53,071 early in their careers. Set against $44,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $23,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,217 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $25,898 early in their careers. Set against $14,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carlow University placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. General Studies graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $66,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Saint Vincent College earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. Set against $26,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Harcum College earned the #13 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,000. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,756. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvernia University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,000 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,900 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $53,960. Set against $31,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $34,372 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $68,293. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,515. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $25,515 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Drexel University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,154 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Villanova University placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $52,183. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
