2026 Best Value General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

3

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. General Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best values for general education. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,474 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $38,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

7

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. 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. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

8

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,101. Early-career general education graduates make about $91,736. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

11

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University placed #11 among the best values for general education. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

12

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #12 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #13 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,575. General Education graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

14

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,201. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

15

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

16

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #16 among the best values for general education. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, 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. That is a strong return on a $20,755 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

17

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

18

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,312. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

19

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

20

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #20 for value in general education this year. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kapolei. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,333. General Education graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $52,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

21

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #21 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

22

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #22 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

23

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #23 spot for general education value 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, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $44,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

24

Northern Marianas College
Saipan, MP

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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,038, while out-of-state students pay about $5,520. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Marianas College generally make around $14,891.

25

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,435. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.