2027 Best Value General Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.
What’s on this page:
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
Florida Atlantic University earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. General graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Stanford University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. General graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #6 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. General graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Saint Peters College landed the #7 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for general value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,925. 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. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,754. General graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. 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. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #16 among the best values for general. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. General graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #17 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $35,323. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $60,453. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #20 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #21 among the best values for general. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. General graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
William Jewell College landed the #22 spot for general value this year. Located in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,610. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,950. General graduates of William Jewell College earn a median of $48,588 early in their careers. Set against $25,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Jewell College admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. General graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Bellevue University landed the #24 spot for general value this year. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,852. Early-career general graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
Other General Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general schools at other degree levels:
View All General Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
