by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,138. Early-career general graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,989. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,981. General graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Texas Tech University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. General graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Colorado Boulder, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. General graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #6 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,496. General graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for general. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.