2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arizona
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for general studies in Arizona. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,939. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Central Arizona College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,680. General Studies graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $29,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $34,557. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Cochise College, which ranked #5. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,957 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $22,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,957 median debt.
Yavapai College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,154 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $32,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. General Studies graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Eastern Arizona College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $26,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $5,759 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $17,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,709. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $46,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $31,759. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,736. General Studies graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coconino Community College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $2,907, compared with $9,987 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,862. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 90% 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
