Finding the Best Value General Education School for You
The general education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $68,117. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,430. General Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $69,882 early in their careers. 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 Bakersfield earned it the #4 place for general education. 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, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,149. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $71,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in general education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $58,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #10 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best values for general education. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Carroll Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,398. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,492. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for value in general education 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. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. General Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Colorado Mountain College placed #19 among the best values for general education. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. General Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
San Juan College placed #20 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,150. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Roane State Community College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,474 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #24 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Palomar College placed #25 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
Narrow General Education Schools by Region
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 903 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 219 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.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
