by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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.
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat Haskell Indian Nations University this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University earn a median of $24,914 early in their careers. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Independence Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,302 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Seward County Community College And Area Technical School one of the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Labette Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,064, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $22,095. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Garden City Community College earned it the #5 place for general studies. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,400. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,110. That is a strong return on a $8,400 median debt.
Barton County Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Wichita State University came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,694 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $30,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Washburn University came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Christian College Of Kansas placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,000. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,938. General Studies graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. Set against $23,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Pittsburg State University placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kansas placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,500. General Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,492. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $38,423. Set against $26,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Hesston College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Hesston College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hesston. In-state tuition and fees average $32,936. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hesston College generally make around $68,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Friends University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,174. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $63,799. That is a strong return on a $25,740 median debt. Midamerica Nazarene University admits about 79% of applicants.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.