2027 Best Value General Education Master’s Degree Schools
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 222 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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 California State University San Bernardino this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
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. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,430. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,882. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Bakersfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $77,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $56,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,117. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,277. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #10 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. General Education graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $57,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,527. 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%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $70,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University placed #14 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $71,314. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the best values for general education. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,708. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,997. General Education graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $44,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,997 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego placed #17 among the best values for general education. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,101. General Education graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $61,100 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #19 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,238. Early-career general education graduates make about $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. General Education graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $59,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest placed #22 among the best values for general education. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,083. General Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
San Francisco State University came in at #23 for value in general education this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,020. General Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $65,425 early in their careers. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stanford University landed the #24 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,492. General Education graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $71,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Marshall University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,939. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Education rankings across degree levels:
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 222 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 222 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.
