by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 301 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. 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 psychology graduates is $16,897. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,689. That is a strong return on a $16,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $26,003. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,693. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $59,316. That is a strong return on a $21,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $30,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,432 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,013. Set against $19,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #9 for value in general psychology this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,088 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $36,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,915 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $35,074 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Dalton State College came in at #11 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,061 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $30,688. Set against $18,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berea College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
East Mississippi Community College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $9,422. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Marshall University placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $34,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,552. General Psychology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $84,125 early in their careers. Set against $21,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Copiah Lincoln Community College landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $30,367. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,105 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,485. Set against $25,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
John Tyler Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #21 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,368.
Shepherd University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $31,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Fayetteville State University placed #23 among the best values for general psychology. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $31,217. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
American Public University System placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $31,973. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,590. That is a strong return on a $31,973 median debt.
Holmes Community College earned the #25 position for value in general psychology this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in general psychology:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | Full Report |
| #52 | University Of Arkansas Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | Full Report |
| #53 | University Of South Carolina Aiken | Aiken, SC | Full Report |
| #54 | University Of Louisiana Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | Full Report |
| #55 | The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | Full Report |
| #56 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | Full Report |
| #57 | University Of The Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY | Full Report |
| #58 | Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | Full Report |
| #59 | University Of South Carolina Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | Full Report |
| #60 | University Of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA | Full Report |
| #61 | Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | Full Report |
This ranking is produced 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 · 301 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 301 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.