2027 Best Value General Education Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in general education, no school beat Middlesex County College this year. 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, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $16,846. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Snow College earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,674. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Roane State Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Hagerstown Community College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $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 landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Grants earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,048. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $34,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. 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.
San Juan College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. General Education graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,836. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,079. General Education graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. General Education graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $37,387 early in their careers. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College placed #17 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,262. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,874 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,848. That is a strong return on a $10,874 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Walters State Community College earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,210. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $12,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. General Education graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #24 spot for general education value this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
Other General Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Education rankings across degree levels:
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
