2027 Best Value General Master’s Degree Schools
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
What’s on this page:
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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 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. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #3 place for general. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Downtown earned it the #5 place for general. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general program here. 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%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University came in at #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,277. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #10 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #11 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,257. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #12 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the general program here. 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. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. General graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for general. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,774. Early-career general graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
George Mason University placed #16 among the best values for general. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general program here. General graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #17 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,923. Early-career general graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #18 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. General graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. 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.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #19 among the best values for general. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,314. General graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #22 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,813. Early-career general graduates make about $57,000. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Oklahoma City University came in at #23 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,754. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,248. Early-career general graduates make about $58,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Charleston came in at #24 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,617. General graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans. General graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,646 median debt. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
Anderson University Sc placed #25 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general this year:
Other General Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across degree levels:
View All General Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
