2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 222 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked Northeast Alabama Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,228. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,104. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes George C Wallace State Community College Dothan one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,004. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Rockingham Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,048. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Northwest Shoals Community College, which ranked #5. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $20,414. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Craven Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $9,603 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $20,965 early in their careers. Set against $9,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $23,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,295. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Lenoir Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,118. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,118 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,481. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $28,261. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $19,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #13 among the best values for general studies. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. Students from in state pay about $5,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,084 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Snead State Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,278, while out-of-state students pay about $9,148. Students borrow a median of $9,597 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,559. That is a strong return on a $9,597 median debt.
Coahoma Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,601 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $20,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #16 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,278. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,999. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Surry Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,188. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,774. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $18,926. That is a strong return on a $7,774 median debt.
Sampson Community College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Eastern Shore Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
John Tyler Community College earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,018. General Studies graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $29,547 early in their careers. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,227. General Studies graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,227 median debt.
Stanly Community College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,120.
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. 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 · 222 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 222 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.
