2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Alabama
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Northeast Alabama Community College, our #1 best value for general studies in Alabama. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Set against $7,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes George C Wallace State Community College Dothan one of the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $20,414. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Lurleen B Wallace Community College one of the best values for general studies. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Snead State Community College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,278, while out-of-state students pay about $9,148. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,597. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,774. Early-career general studies graduates make about $18,926. Set against $7,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bishop State Community College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $9,210. Students borrow a median of $8,355 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $25,063. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $28,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,860. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,174. Set against $9,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Students borrow a median of $11,236 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Marion Military Institute landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Marion Military Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,538. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Marion Military Institute generally make around $25,501. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Jefferson State Community College earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,176. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Enterprise State Community College landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Enterprise State Community College earn a median of $22,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,750. General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Selma earn a median of $18,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $21,919. That is a strong return on a $12,175 median debt.
James H Faulkner State Community College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public school located in the town of Bay Minette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,329. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shelton State Community College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,127, compared with $8,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,375. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,390. Set against $7,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Southern University placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,923. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $55,667. That is a strong return on a $15,923 median debt.
Stillman College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,126 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,421. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Central Alabama Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,110, compared with $8,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,911. General Studies graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,911 median debt.
Alabama A And M University landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $28,877. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $40,968. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
