2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Kentucky

[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Kentucky
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
Leading the list is Murray State University, our #1 best value for general studies in Kentucky. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $34,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brescia University earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,550. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $33,995. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,406. That is a strong return on a $33,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 35%.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,564. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for general studies. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $22,446 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,746 early in their careers. Set against $22,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,547. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $22,813 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $31,231. Set against $22,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,808. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisville landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $27,001 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $22,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,001 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Campbellsville University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,956. General Studies graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $43,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Simmons College Of Kentucky ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Simmons College Of Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,398. Simmons College Of Kentucky admits about 100% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.