2027 Best Value General Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.
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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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,669. General graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for general. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,784. General graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,097. Early-career general graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,741. Early-career general graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,792. Early-career general graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,645. 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.
Old Dominion University came in at #8 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. General graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #11 for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. General graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Appalachian State University landed the #14 spot for general value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #15 position for value in general this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. General graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #16 among the best values for general. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. General graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University placed #17 among the best values for general. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the general program here. 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 #19 for value in general this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Alabama earned the #20 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Clark University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $58,467 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,153. Early-career general graduates make about $43,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Dartmouth College came in at #23 for value in general this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,989. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Macalester College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,147. General graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Other General Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general schools at other degree levels:
View All General Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
