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2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid

451 Ranked Colleges
129,869 Degrees Awarded
$5,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 129,869 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, general studies is the 5th most popular major in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 451 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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The general studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (With Aid)

1
CNM crest
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 2,341 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNM, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central New Mexico Community College is $3,322 for General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Central New Mexico Community College

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 151 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Harold Washington College also did well on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $2,726 for general studies students with aid per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read full report on General Studies at Harold Washington College

3
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school handed out 1,815 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

American Military University also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,563 for General Studies students with aid per year to attend American Public University System.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Read full report on General Studies at American Military University

4
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Oakland Community College is a fairly large school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan that handed out 309 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland Community College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $3,665 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Oakland Community College

5
South Texas College crest
South Texas College
McAllen, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Texas College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. South Texas College is a public institution located in McAllen, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 969 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for South Texas College is $1,504 for general studies students with aid.

Full South Texas College General Studies Report

6
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. College of Lake County is a fairly large school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 29 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, College of Lake County also did well on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,989 for General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at College of Lake County

7
Central Texas College crest
Central Texas College
Killeen, Texas

Central Texas College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Central Texas College is a medium-sized school located in Killeen, Texas that handed out 826 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Texas College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Central Texas College is $5,196 for General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Central Texas College

8
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this fairly large public school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Pima County Community College District also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Pima County Community College District is $3,846 for General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Pima County Community College District

9

Suffolk County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Suffolk County Community College is a large public school situated in Selden, New York. It awarded 1,405 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Suffolk County Community College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Suffolk County Community College is $5,270 for General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Suffolk County Community College

10
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, Texas

Northwest Vista College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Northwest Vista College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 2,322 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Northwest Vista College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It costs about $6,407 for general studies students with aid per year to attend Northwest Vista College.

Read more about General Studies at Northwest Vista College

11

With a ranking of #11, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 175 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Wilbur Wright College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,482 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

12
MVCC crest
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, Illinois

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Moraine Valley Community College is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 430 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $1,901 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Moraine Valley Community College

13

With a ranking of #13, Collin County Community College District did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Collin County Community College District is a large public school situated in McKinney, Texas. It awarded 1,244 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Collin County Community College District also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $7,040 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Collin County Community College District

14
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Sugar Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $5,104 for General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Waubonsee Community College

15

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,351 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Northern Virginia Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $9,452 for general studies students with aid.

Full Northern Virginia Community College General Studies Report

16
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, Texas

El Centro College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. El Centro College is a large public school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 7,386 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, El Centro College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend El Centro College is $4,739 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at El Centro College

17

Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Rexburg, Idaho, and it awarded 1,581 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, BYU - I is in the top on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $6,698 for general studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho

18

With a ranking of #18, Utah Valley University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Orem, Utah, and it awarded 4,249 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general studies students with aid list, UVU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UVU is $9,955 for General Studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Studies at UVU

19
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Antonio College is a fairly large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 2,530 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, San Antonio College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $6,564 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at San Antonio College

20
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 134 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $5,609 for general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

21
Harper College crest
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, Illinois

William Rainey Harper College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 99 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Harper College also did well on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $7,184 for General Studies students with aid per year to attend Harper College.

Read more about General Studies at William Rainey Harper College

22
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Crystal Lake, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

MCC also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for McHenry County College is $7,706 for General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at MCC

23

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,532 for general studies students with aid per year to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

24

Austin Community College District landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 1,654 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $7,224 for General Studies students with aid.

Full Austin Community College District General Studies Report

25
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 47 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

LLCC excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend LLCC is $6,027 for General Studies students with aid.

Full LLCC General Studies Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
CCRI crest
Community College of Rhode Island
Warwick, Rhode Island
28
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan
29
30
31
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan
32
OCCC crest
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
33
34
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah
35
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois
36
37
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
38
39
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
39
41
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan
42
Middlesex Community College crest
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, Massachusetts
43
44
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
45
45
Pinal County Community College crest
Central Arizona College
Coolidge, Arizona
45
48
49
Macomb Community College crest
Macomb Community College
Warren, Michigan
50
Erie Community College crest
Erie Community College
Buffalo, New York

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville, AL
52 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX
53 Portland Community College Portland, OR
54 Danville Area Community College Danville, IL
55 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
56 Carl Sandburg College Galesburg, IL
57 Mott Community College Flint, MI
58 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
59 Palo Alto College San Antonio, TX
60 Triton College River Grove, IL
61 John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL
62 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR
63 Howard Community College Columbia, MD
64 New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM
65 Eastern Arizona College Thatcher, AZ
Rank College Location
66 Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY
67 College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
68 Lane Community College Eugene, OR

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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