2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 288 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Northeast Alabama Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,987. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. That is a strong return on a $7,987 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $7,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,004. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hinds Community College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Rockingham Community College, which ranked #5. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $23,055. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College earned the #10 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. Students borrow a median of $7,774 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $18,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Patrick Henry Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,358. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. 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.
Surry Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $25,973. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,084 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,159. Set against $15,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $19,091. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Bishop State Community College came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,355. General Studies graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of $22,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,355 median debt.
Sampson Community College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Arkansas Community College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,876. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $31,313. That is a strong return on a $10,876 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $20,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,865. General Studies graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,865 median debt.
Mississippi Delta Community College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $18,965. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. 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. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $26,838. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
Narrow General Studies Schools by State
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 288 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 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.
