by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Miami Dade College earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for general. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the general program here. General graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. 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. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #6 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,632. General graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,817. General graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University earned the #8 position for value in general this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. General graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #9 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,657. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. General graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Eastern Oregon University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,184, with out-of-state students paying around $24,729. Students borrow a median of $27,765 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $43,041. That is a strong return on a $27,765 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Drake University came in at #12 for value in general this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. General graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. General graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Clarkson University earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $59,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,566 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Clarkson University earn a median of $74,144 early in their careers. Set against $26,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lehigh University earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,008. Early-career general graduates make about $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Dickinson College earned the #15 position for value in general this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Students from in state pay about $65,650 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Bentley University placed #16 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Waltham, Bentley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,000. General graduates carry a median of $25,475 in student loans. General graduates of Bentley University earn a median of $76,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,475 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #17 spot for general value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. General graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Explore the best-value general schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.