2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Georgia
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Georgia
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
University Of North Georgia tops our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools in Georgia. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $31,399. That is a strong return on a $18,484 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $16,572. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,245 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $52,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,245 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at South Georgia State College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $10,274. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $25,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $34,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Shorter University came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,630. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Shorter University earn a median of $44,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,605. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,166 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $19,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brenau University came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $33,757 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $36,299. General Studies graduates of Brenau University earn a median of $59,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lagrange College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lagrange. Students from in state pay about $35,400 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lagrange College generally make around $52,126. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lagrange College admits about 62% of applicants.
Brewton Parker College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Brewton Parker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $20,120 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,009. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Life University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Life University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,036. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,865. General Studies graduates of Life University earn a median of $41,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
