2027 Best Value General Schools
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) 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 69 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general schools.
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Finding the Best Value General School for You
The right general school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed 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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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value General Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general 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, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Miami Dade College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. General graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for general graduates is $31,016. General graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. General graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for general. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #6 among the best values for general. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best values for general. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. General graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in general this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general graduates is $19,844. General graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
County College Of Morris placed #9 among the best values for general. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. General graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Latter Day Saints Business College placed #11 among 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,630.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #12 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Governors University earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. General graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans. General graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Western Kentucky University landed the #15 spot for general value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,499. General graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #16 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #17 spot for general value this year. 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. General graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. General graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #18 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 for value in general this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Youngstown State University placed #21 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,373. General graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #22 for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University landed the #23 spot for general value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,004. Early-career general graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,842. General graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wilmington University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
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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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
