2027 Best Value General Schools
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/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 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
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Finding the Best Value General School for You
The general program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. 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.
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. 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.
Read more about College Factual’s 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for general. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,784. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,438. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for general. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,097. General graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northern Arizona University placed #7 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University earned the #8 position for value in general this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,001. General graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #9 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. General graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #10 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,577. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,551. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #12 for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,331. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #13 spot for general value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #15 for value in general this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. General graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. General graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. General graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. General graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #17 among the best values for general. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,624. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University earned the #18 position for value in general this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #19 for value in general this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $51,260. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Western Washington University landed the #20 spot for general value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for general. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,546. General graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon came in at #22 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,034. General graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #24 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. General graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. General graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,373. General graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
