by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat Coahoma Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Students borrow a median of $6,601 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $20,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,601 median debt.
Mississippi Delta Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $18,965. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hinds Community College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,603. General Studies graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $20,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,603 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Itawamba Community College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $19,091. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
Holmes Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,789. General Studies graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $25,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $6,885 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,515 early in their careers. Set against $6,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $21,260. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Mississippi Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, compared with $7,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,011. General Studies graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,819 early in their careers. Set against $7,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Valley State University landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,692. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mississippi University For Women placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,673. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,811. Set against $29,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,450 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $37,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,450 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $39,250 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University earned the #14 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Mississippi State University landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,435 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $36,318. That is a strong return on a $28,435 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #16 among the best values for general studies. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $28,438 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $37,800 early in their careers. Set against $28,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $48,911 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $41,812. Set against $48,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.