by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/mathematical-economics/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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general, no school beat Boston University this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Lafayette College, which ranked #2. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,931. Early-career general graduates make about $59,513. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Barnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. General graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.