2027 Best Value General Schools
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/earth-systems-science/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 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 built our Best Value General Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
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
Our analysis ranked Western Kentucky University the best value for a degree in general in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlebury College earned it the #3 place for general. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $54,713. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
