[General](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 267 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
The general program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,895 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for general. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $36,626. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for general. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $66,365. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #5 place for general. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,144. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general graduates is $37,500. General graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $77,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University East Bay came in at #7 for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $84,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento landed the #8 spot for general value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,492. General graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,478. General graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. General graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $59,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $64,423. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #13 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $62,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $52,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for general value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $66,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University earned the #16 position for value in general this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $73,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indian River State College earned the #17 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $38,521. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #18 spot for general value this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #19 among the best values for general. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,022. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,689. That is a strong return on a $27,022 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #20 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #21 among the best values for general. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $51,938. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. General graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $58,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #24 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #25 among the best values for general. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. General graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $43,317. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
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 · 267 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 267 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).
[General](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
