2027 Best Value General Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $37,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the general program here. General graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for general. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,895. General graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $48,881 early in their careers. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $76,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for general. 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 graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $46,047. Set against $19,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #6 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the general program here. General graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $45,471 early in their careers. Set against $18,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for general graduates is $10,492. General graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University earned the #8 position for value in general this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $46,281. That is a strong return on a $27,022 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #9 for value in general this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for general graduates is $19,187. General graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General graduates carry a median of $22,453 in student loans. General graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,453 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #12 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. General graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $43,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,925. General graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $61,014 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College landed the #14 spot for general value this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $31,809 to complete the general program here. General graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,809 median debt.
University Of Guam earned the #15 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,110, compared with $11,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,650 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Guam earn a median of $26,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,650 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #16 among the best values for general. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $38,358. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, with out-of-state students paying around $20,544. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $42,481. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Hawaii West Oahu admits about 95% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #18 spot for general value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for general graduates is $18,375. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $56,445. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Kean University landed the #19 spot for general value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. General graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General graduates of Kean University earn a median of $45,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #20 for value in general this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. General graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $40,040. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #21 among the best values for general. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general program here. General graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $41,020 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #22 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for general graduates is $45,656. Early-career general graduates make about $61,790. That is a strong return on a $45,656 median debt.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #23 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $47,013 early in their careers. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #24 spot for general value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rogers State University earned the #25 position for value in general this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,936. Early-career general graduates make about $45,644. Set against $22,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general:
Other General Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
