by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.
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Where you study general affects both what you pay and what you earn. 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
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Modesto Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $8,884 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $26,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #4 spot this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $50,546. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,378 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Snow College placed #6 among the best values for general. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. General graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #7 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. General graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,587. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Kellogg Community College came in at #8 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. General graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Fresno City College earned the #9 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general graduates is $6,187. Early-career general graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College placed #10 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. General graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global came in at #11 for value in general this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $52,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #12 for value in general this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. General graduates carry a median of $14,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $33,881. Set against $14,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. General graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,667 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $72,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College placed #15 among the best values for general. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,291. General graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District landed the #16 spot for general value this year. Wayne County Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,820. Early-career general graduates make about $48,892. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #17 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for general graduates is $14,552. Early-career general graduates make about $28,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clayton State University placed #18 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. General graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $30,200. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Aims Community College landed the #19 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $9,062 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $57,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla came in at #20 for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earn a median of $16,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Trinidad State Junior College placed #21 among the best values for general. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Typical student debt for general graduates is $10,502. General graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $42,381 early in their careers. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Pioneer College placed #22 among the best values for general. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,232, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general graduates is $8,680. General graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $44,117 early in their careers. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College earned the #23 position for value in general this year. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,656 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $52,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,656 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #24 for value in general this year. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,351. General graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $54,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,351 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #25 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earn a median of $27,188 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.