by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mathematics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for general mathematics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best value for a degree in general mathematics in Iowa. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $17,154. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $38,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for general mathematics. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $19,723. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $51,423. That is a strong return on a $19,723 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $22,942. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $51,422. That is a strong return on a $22,942 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #4 place for general mathematics. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $21,738 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $60,612 early in their careers. Set against $21,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at Drake University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.