by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 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 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Eastern Shore Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Virginia. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Patrick Henry Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Paul D Camp Community College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,955. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,232. Set against $7,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Wytheville Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,438 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned it the #5 place for general studies. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $22,382. Set against $10,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. General Studies graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $27,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,666. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,346. Set against $9,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,227. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Set against $8,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $16,365. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,865. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $21,827. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,325. General Studies graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. General Studies graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
New River Community College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,600. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $25,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,758 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $9,758 median debt.
Tidewater Community College earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $29,491. That is a strong return on a $12,971 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $18,017 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $24,029 early in their careers. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Mennonite University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,920. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $55,325. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Hampton University placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $37,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Bluefield College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,780. Early-career general studies graduates make about $49,380. That is a strong return on a $24,780 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.