2027 Best Value General Master’s Degree Schools
[General](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.
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2027 Best Value General Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Global the best value for a degree in general in the United States. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $51,495 early in their careers. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best values for general. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,000. Early-career general graduates make about $43,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #3 spot this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. General graduates carry a median of $26,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $36,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Leo University one of the best values for general. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. General graduates carry a median of $30,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $49,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #5 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #6 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $27,531 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $31,432. That is a strong return on a $27,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of New Haven ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. General graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $57,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Other General Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general schools at other degree levels:
View All General Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
