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2027 Best Value General Master’s Degree Schools

11 Colleges in the United States
$23,188 Avg Student Debt
$74,009 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Master's Degree Badge [General](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-statistics/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general schools.

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2027 Best Value General Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in general in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Delaware one of the best values for general. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,861. General graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

4

Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

5
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #5. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #6 spot for general value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

7

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #7 for value in general this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $22,870 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $55,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.

8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #8 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $60,004. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

9

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,449. Early-career general graduates make about $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

10

Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.

11
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #11 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. General graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

Other General Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General
Bachelor's Degrees in General

View All General Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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