2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Kentucky
[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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat Murray State University this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,162 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $34,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,162 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,813 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Morehead State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,739. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $27,564. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,446 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,446 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,808 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisville came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,001. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $22,239. That is a strong return on a $27,001 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
