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 University Of Florida, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for general education. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Colorado Mountain College one of 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.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans. 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. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in general education this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University came in at #11 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, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,760. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,931. That is a strong return on a $22,760 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,575. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,201. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #15 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,211. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,200. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,755 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,415. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #18 spot for general education value 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #19 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. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #20 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Students borrow a median of $24,333 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,079. Set against $24,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,531. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,729. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $44,201 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Northern Marianas College came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Saipan, Northern Marianas College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,038, with out-of-state students paying around $5,520. Early-career general education graduates make about $14,891.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,435. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
Other General Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general education schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 903 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
