2027 Best Value General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 120 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value general education schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #3. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,160. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas At Dallas one of the best values for general education. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,474. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $38,928. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Colorado Mountain College placed #8 among the best values for general education. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,953. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $44,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Washington University landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,194. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,760. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,931. Set against $22,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Midwestern State University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kapolei. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,333. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $52,079. Set against $24,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,410. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,729. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Marianas College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Saipan, Northern Marianas College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,038, while out-of-state students pay about $5,520. Early-career general education graduates make about $14,891.
Texas Womans University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #24 for value in general education this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $62,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $39,046. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education value ranking:
Other General Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general education schools at other degree levels:
View All General Education 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 120 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.
