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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,626. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Northern Oklahoma College, which ranked #2. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Oklahoma Panhandle State University one of the best values for general studies. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,291 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $57,445. Set against $17,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Students borrow a median of $22,170 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $36,300. That is a strong return on a $22,170 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Connors State College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. Set against $16,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cameron University placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Students from in state pay about $7,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,189. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,865. That is a strong return on a $26,189 median debt.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, compared with $11,363 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. General Studies graduates of Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,767, with out-of-state students paying around $8,383. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern State University landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $30,582. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Langston University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,863, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $35,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,230, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $14,336 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,913. That is a strong return on a $14,336 median debt.
Carl Albert State College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $8,708. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $26,648. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #14 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Muscogee Nation came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Okmulgee, College Of The Muscogee Nation is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees. Early-career general studies graduates make about $17,525.
Seminole State College landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,610. General Studies graduates of Seminole State College earn a median of $26,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,938. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,294 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,450 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,786. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Christian University placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,180. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,050. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oklahoma Christian University generally make around $49,615. That is a strong return on a $26,050 median debt. Oklahoma Christian University admits about 96% of applicants.
Southern Nazarene University earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,190. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $30,754. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
