[General](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 252 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in general in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $79,397. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,895. General graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $66,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,273. General graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general program here. General graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $66,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $61,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the general program here. General graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $77,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay placed #7 among the best values for general. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $84,881. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #8 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $18,965. Early-career general graduates make about $72,886. Set against $18,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. General graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. General graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for value in general this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general graduates is $15,732. General graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #12 spot for general value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $62,889. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #14 for value in general this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $66,534. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Portland State University came in at #15 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #16 position for value in general this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #17 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,815. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #18 for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, 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 $59,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Lamar University earned the #19 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #20 spot for general value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. General graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $51,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #21 for value in general this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $58,263. Set against $19,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #22 spot for general value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,125. General graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $56,061 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #23 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. General graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $58,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #24 position for value in general this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $22,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $59,742. That is a strong return on a $22,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
San Francisco State University placed #25 among the best values for general. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $85,122. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 252 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 252 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
