Finding the Best Value General School for You
The general program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes Latter Day Saints Business College one of the best values for general. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in general this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. General graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Youngstown State University landed the #9 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #10 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. General graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #12 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #13 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,925. General graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Purdue University Global landed the #14 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. General graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Wilmington University came in at #15 for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. General graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University placed #16 among the best values for general. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Chicago earned the #17 position for value in general this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for general graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #18 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,257. Early-career general graduates make about $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #19 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,747. General graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #20 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #21 position for value in general this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. General graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. General graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #23 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. General graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #24 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,217. Early-career general graduates make about $38,328. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
Narrow General Schools by Region
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
