by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1482 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general mathematics in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for general mathematics. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $17,075. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #3. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $6,999. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #4 place for general mathematics. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
De Anza College earned the #6 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $9,384. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #9 for value in general mathematics this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Saddleback College came in at #10 for value in general mathematics this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #12 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #13 among the best values for general mathematics. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #14 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #15 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $5,500. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College earned the #16 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $11,376. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #19 among the best values for general mathematics. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $8,978. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Cypress College placed #20 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Cerritos College earned the #21 position for value in general mathematics this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College came in at #22 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Chabot College landed the #23 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Norco College placed #24 among the best values for general mathematics. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #25 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $12,275. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for general mathematics this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Mathematics rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1482 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.