by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,740. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $11,740 median debt.
Muskegon Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,510 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $38,589 early in their careers. Set against $24,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,125. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,503. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,575. General Psychology graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #7 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,500. General Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $30,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Lake Michigan College earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. Students from in state pay about $5,445 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Lake Michigan College earn a median of $50,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,977 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $31,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,447 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. Set against $26,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,087. General Psychology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $48,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Andrews University placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Lake Superior State University earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,429. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,727. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $28,246. That is a strong return on a $22,727 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $28,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Baker College Of Flint earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $41,688 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,913. Set against $41,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Grand Valley State University landed the #19 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,187. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,100. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #20 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,403 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $30,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,403 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $31,166. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grace Bible College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,190 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,214. General Psychology graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $35,745 early in their careers. Set against $29,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Aquinas College Michigan earned the #23 position for value in general psychology this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Aquinas College Michigan generally make around $31,789. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Siena Heights University came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,475. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Set against $27,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Madonna University came in at #25 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.