[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 402 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
Finding the Best Value General Education School for You
Where you study general education affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built 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.
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.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the United States. 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. General Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $69,882. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for general education. 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, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Set against $17,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Middlesex County College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $16,846. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for general education value 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. General Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $77,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $58,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $58,249. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #14 spot for general education value 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.
Snow College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Columbia State Community College earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hagerstown Community College earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,126 in student loans. General Education graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $46,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College placed #20 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,087. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #24 for value in general education this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,003. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University placed #25 among the best values for general education. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,474 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 402 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 402 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 Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
